In
Atlakvitha verse 7, Hǫgni says that he wears a golden suit of armour and a Caesar's bright helmet:
'Hǫgni said: "We have seven halls, each full of swords; the hilt of each sword is made of gold. I ride the best horse, carry the sharpest sword, have the best-made bow, and wear a golden suit of armour, I wear a Caesar's bright helmet and shield - any one of these is better than everything the Huns own."'
Atlakvitha likely derives from the Migration Period (300-600 AD) when the Germanic peoples were interacting with the Huns and Late Roman Empire. It is therefore very likely that Hǫgni was wearing a set of Late Roman armour.
This would be consistent with the relatively positive reception the Germanic peoples had towards Roman culture during this time. The Germanic tribes such as the Franks and Vandals were known to heavily draw upon Late Roman culture and adopt similar styles of clothing, jewellery, armour and titles.
This process of cultural admiration and adoption by the Germanic peoples continued into the 8th century. For example, the Vindelev bracteate from 8th century Denmark depicts the subject, 'Jagaz', in the fashion of a Late Roman Emperor. An earlier example of Roman iconography appearing in the Germanic archaeological record is the Undley bracteate from 5th century England, featuring a depiction of Romulus and Remus as an adaptation of an
Urbs Roma coin type issued by Constantine the Great.
Images:
Magister Militum Re-Enactment - 4th century Late Roman high command.
Показать полностью ...