Shoes worn in Roman times

• Shoes worn in Roman times

Italian footwear is famous all over the world. Recent archaeological findings indicate that this is not accidental. It turned out that the shoemaking tradition of Mediterranean artists rooted in the days of the Roman Empire. Ancient Roman shoes found in Germany, is not only well preserved, having lain under the earth two thousand years, but also a sleek design and functionality.

The small German town of Bad Homburg has a unique attraction - the ancient fortress is reconstructed Saalburg. Already in the 90 th year of our era Roman outpost was established here. For those times these places were a real backwater. It is here that was the border of a great empire, they were on the ground of the Germanic tribes. However, in this fortress, distant from Rome, there were people watching the fashion and prefer beautiful shoes. At the bottom of an old well, archaeologists have found well-preserved shoe, which had lain there for about two thousand years, and now proudly took place in the local museum.

In fact, the found object belongs to one of the most common types of Roman footwear. It Kaliga - a kind of sandals with thick soles. In contrast to the products for the house, they were made from a very durable leather and the sole of the spikes were hammered. Such shoes were soldiers and citizens. The fact that the sample survived until our days in good condition, said about the beautiful as tanning. In addition, the shoes quite beautiful. One can see that the ancient wizard carefully thought out design. Curly cutting in the form of circles and lozenges are often used in those days, and even now are still relevant option decorations leather goods. Undoubtedly, this piece of clothing is not a commoner and nobleman. Relatively ordinary shoes, so in those days it was to cost no less than modern designer brands.

Soldier's Shoes Roman distinguished by excellent durability and convenience. Depending on the weather requirements at Kaliga or do a lot of logging, or they were solid, with openings only for the ties. Their height can reach up to mid-calf, and thus they are the prototype of the boots. I wear these shoes for 3-4 minutes and can withstand many kilometers marches.

By the way, the name "Kaliga" through many centuries was assigned to the special sandals tied up, in which pilgrims shoes for walking the way to Jerusalem. In this last sense the word was known in ancient Russia, and from there the phrase "beggars perekhozhie".

Women's shoes in ancient times, of course, was more subtle and elegant, it is often covered with embroidery, adorned with pearls and precious stones. However, the same does not currently allow only women, but men and nobles.

Ancient Roman masters, of course, in those days were not only trendsetters, but also for teachers of many nations. It is because of the basic principles of the empire shoemaking and shoe style spread throughout Europe, as illustrated by the findings in Saalburg. Fashion shoes, lay on the bottom of the well a couple of thousands of years, still looks elegant and comfortable, so the skills of ancient craftsmen worthy of great respect.

As for the fortress on the border of the empire, it became over time a fairly large settlement. Scientists believe that at the time of flowering is several thousand people lived. For those times it's a lot of numbers. As always, next to the protected walls began to settle peasants. However, the town has existed only a few hundred years. Then it was abandoned and re-researchers found only in the middle of the XIX century. The excavations, which were carried out on the initiative of Kaiser Wilhelm II of, helped discover the perfectly preserved Roman camp with defensive structures and outbuildings. Here, an open-air museum was created and Research Institute.

In 2005, the Saalburg was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It created the archaeological park and a very impressive museum, which stores all found historical artifacts and done a lot of renovations. However, as seen on the latest findings, not all the mysteries of Saalburg were found and placed behind shop windows showrooms.