Slitherine

Hi all,

I've been looking for info on uniform colours for Avars and early Bulgars, but all I can find is that the infantry wore linen bleached white and cavalry sometimes wore red or purple (possibly ex-byzantine equipment). Anyone have any more info?

Thanks

They didn't wear unifroms

I'm well aware that they didn't wear uniforms per se, perhaps to satisfy the more pedantic forum users I should have said clothing colours instead of uniform colours.

Ferb wrote:I'm well aware that they didn't wear uniforms per se, perhaps to satisfy the more pedantic forum users I should have said clothing colours instead of uniform colours.

Ferb -

I'm not sure we have much on Avars in terms of their preferences for color. I don't recall there being references to multi-colored material. I could be wrong. A good rule of thumb is to stick with earth tones - shades of green, brown, and yellow - as well as your typical linen (offwhite, rarely dyed), and you can probably cover much of what at least the commoners wore.

A quick search of "Armies and Enemies" doesn't seem to reveal anything unusual about them, but if I come across anything in my other sources, I'll post it here.

-Mithras

Thanks for the info

Peter

Ferb wrote:I'm well aware that they didn't wear uniforms per se, perhaps to satisfy the more pedantic forum users I should have said clothing colours instead of uniform colours.

As with all Central Asian cultures, patterned, coloured robes (mostly silk) were important. Anyone fighting as a warrior would likely wear such robes. Over these could be a steppe style tunic (left over right) of felt (or padded silk for wealthier men). lamella armour (red/black leather, black or polished iron) was worn by most warriors.

Clothes were worn constantly (no swapping outfits et) and washing was restricted, so could be quite muted colour wise. As with almost all ancient and medieval cultures, it was important to look as good as possible when going into battle, with your finest (and often gaudiest) clothes.

Tom..