LEGIO XX ONLINE HANDBOOK
CALIGAE
3/13/11 *Home*Handbook Intro*Tunic*Caligae*Cloak*Belt*Helmets*Segmentata*Hamata*Squamata*Subarmalis*Scutum*Gladius* *Pilum*Pugio*Packs*Mess Gear*Tools*Crests*Drill*Leatherworking*Armoring* ---------- Construction involves a
lot of
careful cutting but is otherwise straightforward. The upper is
cut
from a single piece of c. 8-ounce leather, well-oiled (with
neatsfoot
oil) to prevent decay. Cutting away the slots in each tab and the
spaces between them actually removes most of the leather. On a
good caliga there should be more space than leather, making it seem
very open. Since the leather is quite thick, strength should not
be a problem, and in fact, leaving too much leather can make it less
flexible and prone to chafing. The sole is one-half to
three-quarters
inch
thick and is made of two or more layers (8-ounce or heavier), with
the
upper sandwiched between the top two. The layers are held
together
with hobnails, driven in from the bottom and the shanks clenched to
hold them permanently. Cover the clenched points
with
an additional insole of leather, felt, or sheepskin, securing it in
place
with a few stitches. The heel is sewn
with a butted seam, using edge-grain stitches. Some hobnails are easily
hammered in with the shoe laying bottom-up on an anvil or flat piece of
steel, so that the shanks simply bend neatly as they are driven into
place and hit the steel. However, hammering on a conical nail can
flatten it, so it may be necessary to use a variation on the riveting
tool. Use an awl to poke the hole for the each nail, push it into
place, set the nailhead into a conical hole in a suitably heavy piece
of metal, and then clench the tip of the shank over the leather with a
hammer. |
|
One of the caligae above
at right
is shown loosely laced with a white cord to make the lacing easier to
see.
The lace is threaded criss-cross through the slits in the tabs or
straps
just like a modern shoe is laced. (There are no clear depictions
of the laces in military caligae, but there are many depictions of
civilian
shoes laced in this fashion.)
The tabs or straps are made long enough to meet in the middle and turn upwards, reaching another half to three-quarters of an inch. The slits should end just short of the point where the tabs turn upwards. The caligae at bottom right are sewn up the back with a butted seam, though other methods are also acceptable. See also the footwear at the bottom of the Civilian Clothing page, and Socks on the Cold Weather Clothing page. |
Before cutting good leather,
make a working
mock-up out of vinyl, junk leather, or heavy cloth. DO NOT MAKE
THE
SOLES TOO WIDE--trace your foot and cut the soles *narrower* by 1/4" on
each
side. Make the tabs extra long and the slits shorter than
necessary,
and adjust them later.
One clever trick for making a pattern is to put on an old sock and cover it (not too tightly) with a couple layers of duct tape. Then cut it carefully off, slitting it down the front and back, and open it out flat. Use this as the basis for your mockup, remembering that the tabs need to extend beyond the cut top/front edges of the taped sock by an inch or so (because the edges of the taped sock just meet in the middle, while the tabs of the caligae sort of overlap, right?). At left is the sole of a civilian shoe, showing a very typical nail pattern of simple straight lines. At right is a variation of the circle-and-line pattern, a stick-figure barbarian on his knees, begging for mercy. The idea is that he is trodden underfoot with every step! |
Valkenburg/Castleford Caligae
How-To on Roman Army Talk: http://www.ancient-warfare.org/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=20&id=56089&Itemid=40
Jared Fleury's wonderful How-To
on Calcei: http://www.florentius.com/calcei-main.htm
Imperium Ancient Armory
has excellent caligae for a good price, http://www.imperiumancientarmory.com/
Good caligae can be purchased
from William Stephenson (Uilliam AT aol DOT com), or Saddler's Den. A
couple other options are shown on the Suppliers
page.
As usual, don't go near Museum Replicas. See also the page of Things to Avoid.
FOCALE
The focale is a scarf or neckerchief worn to protect the neck from being pinched or chafed by the armor. It was apparently introduced at the same time as the lorica segmentata, but quickly became popular even with troops who wore different types of armor. Its shape is difficult to determine but probably varied, and there is little evidence for its color.
Legio XX treats the focale as a nonstandard item. It may be linen or wool of any reasonable color, and can be triangular (cut or folded from a c. 36" square) or a long strip. Remember to hem the edges by hand. The focale may be knotted at the throat or simply tucked into place, but may NOT be pinned with a brooch of any sort.