Dariusz caballeros

Salvete Omnes,

and another short entry of the day - 

Again, dr Adrian Goldsworthy and his podcasts. This time dear 'dottore' published a video on his channel - an overview and introduction to the Cavalry in the Roman Army.

The link to the video - here. 

This is a 1h 45 minutes of pure enjoyment on the subject dear to my heart. 

Looking forward to listed to the next part of this podcast on the cavalry- 

and reenactment 

Valete 

 Salvete Omnes,

a short entry - UK historian and novelist Adrian Goldsworthy hosts UK illustrator (working in gouache), reenactor and author Graham Sumner (eg author of the books - Roman Military Dress & Roman Warriors). 

the  video of the interview is on dr Goldsworthy's  Yt channel -

all artwork copyright @GrahamSumner and under the fair use licence.

Enjoy

Valete

 Salvete Omnes,

some years ago I posted about prof. Rostovtzeff's reports on the excavations at Dura Europos, a Roman fortress on the Euphrates frontiers that was captured, after a siege, by the Sassanians and never again functioned as a town & fortress. 
Dura Europos site is the sources of the Graffito of the heavy cavalryman 

and the horse armor that was preserved there within the destroyed town.

 Nowadays it is being preserved at the Yale University. 

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Sassanian helmet from Dura

enjoy

Valete

 Salvete Omnes,

Happy Epiphany - Magi have arrived - enjoy your feast if you celebrate

Venetian painter Jacopo Bassano (1515-1592) and his splendid 'Adorations' 

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more detailed look of the robe worn by the King in proskinesis

. the horse heads from these three paintings

curb-bit on the bay horse, and details of the bridle and reins of the grey horse

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enjoy

Valete 

 Salvete Omnes,

continuing on the subject of the Epiphany and Adoration of  Magi in the pre-modern arts, a tondo by Raffaelo Botticini (1474-died after1520) from the Art Institute of Chicago. 

this tempera was painted circa 1495 and reflects equestrianism of the Florentine, Tuscany, and northern Italy styles and preferences for horses and tack. 
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enjoy

Valete

 Salvete Omnes,

several more days to the Feast of Epiphany, so more chances to explore the Magi in pre-modern art with equestrian themes.

French church- Saint-Barthelemy de Fleury la Montagne contains the XIII century tower with a Romanesque tympanum showing the Three Kings and Holy Family.

and some more Romanesque Magi from French churches 

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and a beautiful iron work on the door from the Velelay Abbey

Valete

 Salvete Omnes,

so the New Year has arrived - my very first post of this brand new year

It will be the Year of the Horse - in Chinese zodiac calendar. So starting February 17, 2026 it will be the Year of the Fire Horse. 

here I used one of the Polish horses in Polish tack from the Certamen Equestre

The world may gallop a lot this year... 
I hope for the best but get ready for a ride, my friends and fellow Net travelers. 

 Salvete Omnes,

the very brand new year is upon us, so to speak.

Enjoy your party and revelry tonight. 

Happy New Year.

Dosiego Roku - Feliz Ano Nuevo

and some olden Polish postcards from the all but gone era of sending ornate, illustrative and suggestive greetings cards to family and friends.

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all images from Polona, Polish National Library digital collections 

enjoy

Valete