Commilitones

Things have been rather quiet during "Winter Quarters", so the Vicesima Quarta was delayed hoping something would happen or come-up.

ADVENAE - Newcomers

• Taylor Dodson wolfwelp@ameritech.net is signing on as a part of our Mid-West Vexillation.
  She, yes a women, will be portraying an auxiliary cavalry scout. Taylor has her own horse and is an archer, and the prospect of having a cavalry archer impression in the unit is rather exciting. She is working with another rather new member, John Shook, who is organizing an auxiliary contingent within the unit.
• Frank McChristian (Marcus Velius Tacitus) fmcchris909@att.net of Hampton Bays, NY, is joining NovaRoma and becoming a member of our Family Gens Velius. He is a write and a musician (Tuba -Cornu? we hope) and is interested in the Religio, Culture and History of Rome.

Please join me in welcoming these new members to our ranks.

AUXILIARY CONTINGENT FORMING UP

One of our newer members, John Shook, Titus Flavius Ambiorix starbulldog@aol.com is organizing an auxiliary unit, based within our Mid-West Vexillation. Chris Goshey, Tiberius Claudius Phillipos and Taylor Dodson and one other are getting themselves together. We hope to have them with us during our Mid-West campaigns.

FOR SALE

Owen Hutchins is selling his lorica segmentata. It was made by Joe Piella, and fits about a 50" chest.
It has a little rust which he'll remove off prior to sale, and has been banged up a little, but is otherwise in good shape. Asking price $350. Contact him directly at owenbrau@earthlink.net

MORE GEAR UP FOR GRABS ?

The Mighty Maximus John Ebel is selling his legionary gear.

• Type "A" Lorica segmentata - size 44-46; never used and in excellent condition, and with a custom-made stand to display it . .
• Gallic "G" helmet with sideways cream/black officer's crest . . .
• Pompeii gladius with sheath and baldric . . .
• Mainz gladius with sheath and baldric . . .
• Red, cream military tunics (2). . . .
• Hand-made caligae (brown leather; military-style). . . .
• Patera, canteen

He is asking for a package price of $1,200. This is a complete set-up, minus only pilia and an apron-style military belt.
If any new recruits are looking for a full set up, please contact John at gladius1@optonline.net

Our sister Legion XX in Maryland also has some legionary equipment up for grabs and their Commander Matt Amt is making it available to his members and Legion XXIV before he advertises it in his newsletter.

Ed Safford, one of the Legion XX's co-founders of old, is selling off several items.

A Crest for a helmet is still available, red horsehair in a red wood block, made by myself and Ed.
It comes with a nice steel support, and an excellent wooden storage and carrying box that Ed made. $75

Hand-forged Mainz Gladius, $300. Second from left in this photo: http://www.larp.com/legioxx/gladii3.jpg

Wonderful blade by Dave Stone, hilt and scabbard by Matthew Amt.
The grip is wood and a little skinny, but it can be replaced with a bone one very easily. Pommel and guard are walnut.
Scabbard is a simple brass frame with a nice finial over green linen-covered wood.
Very easy to add decorated plates or replace the linen with leather, etc. Has a baldric with a buckle.
Matt has the crest and sword at his my castra, and can bring them to any event or workshop, etc.
You can either pay him (cash or check) or write a check out to Ed, and he will forward it to him.

One or two marching satchels for sale, $100 each.
Won't these bargains look great under your Christmas tree? Order today!
Don't delay! Anything that doesn't sell will end up being advertised, and could end up going off to some far off distant land to Romans we don't know - or worse - to E-Bay - Horrors!!

Valete, Matthew/Quintus
Legio XX "Emporium"
mamt@lrcm.usuhs.mil - legioxx@webjump.com

TWO DAY SCHOOL CAMPAIGN

Your Commander spent two days at the Princeton Day School in Princeton, NJ on Feb-15 and 16. The first day was with two classes doing a military lectures and demonstrations. The usual battle shield line and testudo formations were formed, with the students joining in with their own hand-made cardboard scuta. The sessions ended with the potential recruits coming forward to try out the helmets and armor. On Wednesday, the 16th, the Commander and new recruit Leon Delgado turned out with John Ebel's Ludus Magnus for a 3 hour gladiator lecture, show and fight. This was Leon's first tour of duty with the Legion and he was trying out his new Corbridge-A lorica from Joe Piela of Lonely Mountain Forge. He is coming along quite well with his new lorica, a scutum, tunic and caligae. He is quite enthusiastic and we look forward to having him with us during upcoming campaigns.
The Ludus Magnus put-on their usual great and active demonstration. "Maximus" Ebel, the "Wolf" & Pauline Cattellier, Aulus & Patrick Barbato and James Massimillo "layed-on" during four engagements, with kids really getting into the spirit of the event cheering on their favorites during the four battles that were staged in the school gymnasium.

The Mighty Maximus stated in a follow-up e-mail to the event, that he was quite pleased in seeing Patrick developing into a fine young man, and one hell of an able fighter uplifting him each time they gathered. The sight of the lovely gladiatrix, Lady Paulina kicking the sweet bejeezus out of the "Wolf" was a pure delight to watch. And to behold the way Gaius Massimillo of Macedonia had become an able and aggressive fighter, even becoming a bit cocky in the arena, was a source of inspiration to him. The smile on Al's face after an event as he inventories his many wounds is purely amazing to him each time.

The Commander does about a dozen school class room and auditorium demo's a year enhancing the learning experience of students, keeping him occupied between the major outdoor campaigns.

CATAPULTA UNDERGOES IMPROVEMENT

The Engine of Terror now has a new tail prop attached in a more historic manner, replacing the rather hokey hinge arrangement, which worked well, but was just not historically correct. Two 3/8 inch thick 464 naval brass plates mounted to the sides of the tail section now carry the prop leg. The new mounting is more sturdy and rigid and looks more appropriate and heroic, given the reputation of our catapulta. Next - A more correct trigger mechanism.

LEGION XXIV WEBSITE CONTINUES TO GROW

The Legions website continues to expand and is now one of the most extensive sites dealing with Roman Army reenactment and Roman military history, as well as other history relating to Ancient Rome. The Site is now composed of the Home Page from which emanate 24 Secondary Pages, which lead to 20 Detail Pages. The Photo Gallery Page points to 22 additional pages of captioned pictures and detail narrative. Appended to the Site is a set of four pages dealing with the Commanders activities in the Star Wars Universe. These Sci-Fi Pages are augmented by 20 secondary photo and detail pages. In total, the entire Site comprises 92 separate pages, 612 photos and images, 216 links to external sites and 553 internal links within the site, AND no pop-up ad's or commercial advertising! The Site is updated several times a month, so you want to check in often. The Commander built the site beginning in early 1998 and pays for its hosting service on behalf of the Legion.
After learning all these facts about the Legion XXIV Website, you should be clicking on www.legionxxiv.org NOW!

UPCOMING CAMPAIGNS for 2005

• February 15-16
  Two days of demonstrations at the Princeton Day School, near Princeton, NJ. The Ludus Magnus Gladiators will be doing a demo on the 16th as well.
• April 16-17
  Marching through Time, Marietta Mansion, Glendale, MD
• May 13-14
  Roman Days Northeast, Fairgrounds, Woodstock, CN. The Commander cannot attend, but other Legion members are most encouraged to take part. An interesting and varied program is planned.
• June 3-5
  Roman Days, Marietta Mansion, Glenn Dale, MD. Includes visits by school groups on Friday, and possibly a mini-symposium on Thursday.
• July 30-31
  Annual Fort Malden Military Days, Amherstburg, Ontario
• August 16-20
  Pennsic War, Coopers Lake Campground, New Castle, PA, I-79 and Rt 422
• October 22-23
  Probable Ren Faire appearance, Waterloo Village, Netcong, NJ, I-80-exit 25 11AM-5PM

Get that armor and gear in shape for the upcoming Spring Campaigns! That's an Order! Get to It!

Thanking you for your continued support of Legion XXIV, I remain;

Yours in the Bonds of Ancient Rome

Gallio / George