Cassidile
Cassidile is a Latin term for a bag or small satchel. In reconstructions of Roman marching equipment it often denotes a bag for personal belongings. The word does not establish its capacity, material or obligatory contents.
Images of baggage show bundles and bags of different shapes. Assigning each a particular Latin term remains tentative. Spare clothing or household items are possible contents, not a documented uniform kit for every soldier.
Soldiers with suspended bags and bundles on Trajan’s Column, Rome; early second century CE. Identification of each container as a cassidile is tentative.Reconstruction
Choose a bag shape from a dated image or find and test suspension with a furca. Leather and textiles need different seams and care. Treatment with fat, wax or oil should not be described as obligatory ancient practice without evidence for the prototype.
On a modern march, keeping clothing dry and closing the opening securely are practical priorities. A protective inner bag may be used as an adaptation, but should not be presented as an archaeologically documented detail.
Modern leather cassidile reconstruction, shown filled.
Modern leather cassidile reconstruction, shown empty.Related topics
Ancient military campaigns,Loculus,Wallet,Furka,Tunic,Paenula,Socks
Literature and sources
- Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short. A Latin Dictionary. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1879; saccus, sacculus, cassidile.
- M. C. Bishop, J. C. N. Coulston. Roman Military Equipment, second edition, 2006.
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