ID Figure From Rock Carving

[Yish]

http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/yis...p;current=1.jpg

 

This picture is of a recently discovered find in Northern Israel. It is 1.8m tall and carved into the side of a cliff.

It seems to be a soldier, as it appears to be wearing aq helmet, but beyond that I am not sure.

I would like to hear opinions of what the figure represents and from which period it might date, based on its clothing.

[DougRichards]

Looks like a Roman - ie straps hanging down from belt (whad the romans eva do fa us?)

 

any indications of dates, nearby settlements?

[vardulli]

Looks like a Roman - ie straps hanging down from belt (whad the romans eva do fa us?)

 

any indications of dates, nearby settlements?

i'd say that they look more like tunic folds.

 

is there a hand guard on the sword tho?

[Guest JamesG123]

Does look very Romanesque.

[DougRichards]

Looks like a figure from here:

 

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review...E&code=H041

[Sardaukar]

It could be carving of Roman commander if those are "pteryges" (weighted leather straps designed to give protection to groin and thighs). Maybe it's Titus Vespasianus... But it could easily be anything else.

 

Carving seem to be wearing cloak, maybe paludamentum. If those are pteryges, muscle cuirass and paludamentum, it's senior Roman commander or emperor.

 

And one could think the headgear is like this...:

 

 

Or diadem like in this on right side coin:

 

 

 

But in reality, it can be anything from long history of Middle East...

Edited October 11, 2007 by Sardaukar

[Guest aevans]

Could be Seleucid, though. Linen cuirasses of the period had multiple split skirts.

[TonyE]

I`d keep a tab on a seleucid fellow aswell (or ptolemaic), note the resemblance of the long double row of leather "pteurges" to this late seleucid soldier, and that romans would usually have the sword on the right side:

[vardulli]

I`d keep a tab on a seleucid fellow aswell (or ptolemaic), note the resemblance of the long double row of leather "pteurges" to this late seleucid soldier, and that romans would usually have the sword on the right side:

 

depending on period and/or rank the sword could be worn on the right by Roman military

-and even then there are exceptions

Edited October 12, 2007 by vardulli