Titles that are bold are things I have used personally and can vouch for.
The World of Roman Costume by Judith Lynn Sebesta and Larissa Bonfante University of Wisconsin Press, 1994 [Link]
Dress and the Roman Woman: Self-preservation and Society by Kelly Olson New York: Routledge, 2008 [Link]
Cosmetics and Perfumes in the Roman World by Susan Stewart Stroud: Tempus, 2007 [Link]
Roman Clothing and Fashion by Alexandra Croom Charleston, SC: Tempus, 2000 [Link]
Greek and Roman Textiles and Dress: An Interdisciplinary Anthology by Mary Harlow and Marie-Louise Nosch Philadelphia: Oxbow, 2015 [Link]
Roman Dress and the Fabrics of Roman Culture by J.C. Edmondson and Alison Mary Keith University of Toronto Press, 2008 [Link]
Anachronistic and Impulsive – Anna’s Rome: A View of Ancient Rome and Byzantium in the Current Middle Ages http://annasrome.com/ by Her Excellency Anna Dokeianina Syrakousina HE Anna is also on Facebook, and runs the SCA Byzanteam group, full of helpful folk. She is very approachable and awesome.
Late 14th century (gold setting); 10th century? (sapphire)
Italian
Many rings employ stones repurposed from other pieces of jewelry. This
extraordinary ring showcases a large sapphire inscribed in Arabic with
the name: “Abd as-Salam ibn Ahmad.” The stone, engraved centuries before
the ring was created, was clearly highly prized. Sapphire, which was
quarried in Ceylon, Arabia, and Persia, came west through trade. The
stone was associated with chastity and purity. A second inscription
reads: “For love you were made and for love I wear you.” This work, with
its mixture of eastern and western elements, is among one of the rarest
in the Griffin Collection.
Archangel Michael, fresco from the Nereditsa Church, 1199
Nereditsa Church had one of the most well-preserved fresco complexes of Medieval Rus period.
The photo was taken in 1930s. During the World War II, Nereditsa Church was destroyed almost completely. Later, in 1950s, the church itself was restored, but frescoes could not be saved.
Alright, so I was gonna ask this on the SCA facebook page. But based on a discussion I just read, the page is full of ableist, old, ornery, flaming white douches. Which leads me to believe they’re likely racist to boot.
I’m hoping for a more interesting, educating and peaceful discussion on here. If you aren’t in the SCA but want to get in on this, please do! I’m exceptionally curious about this topic.
So within the SCA you develop a persona/character based on a time period and culture. Most people go with viking, roman or western European. There are loads of others but those make up the bulk of it.
When explaining the SCA to someone and how to join it, I told them about developing a persona. I said that unless they are of certain closed cultures, they should avoid making a persona based on them (specifically; First Nations peoples, Maya and Inca. I realize now I should have also included Romani). When listing personas I know of, I listed Mongolian as one. This didn’t appear to be appropriation to me at the time, because he portrays it well and also from a time during the Mongolian empire, when they were oppressors rather than the oppressed. I got an ask about it and that fueled my curiosity.
We say white people can’t experience racism or cultural appropriation because they (we) are the oppressors and the dominant culture. Does this apply as well to dominant cultures in the past? Is it cultural appropriation if you are portraying a persona accurately (something the SCA as a whole strives for) and respectfully from a time when they themselves were the oppressors?
It is my understanding that because we’re doing the research into the history and material culture of the civilizations in our scope, and not just wearing it like a costume, it isn’t appropriation.
I have approximately 0% Chinese heritage, but my latest research project has been the Tang Dynasty. I was afraid to do it at first, because I didn’t want to be approproative, but I’m glad I did. I learned about an amazing period of Chinese history, and I’ve been able to share that with others. It has also expanded my social sphere as I have discovered the SCA folk who are also interested in ancient/imperial China. I don’t have a Chinese persona, but apart from having an SCA name, I don’t play the persona game.
If you’re respectful and approach something with honest interest and scholarly intent, you’ll be fine. If someone accuses you of approproation, all you can do is apologize and try to explain your intent. Who knows? Maybe you’ll learn something new and make a new friend.
Being Royalty in the SCA is more than just a fancy title.
It’s about making moments. You get the rare opportunity to make someone’s SCA history. To make someone’s day. To surprise them unexpectedly.
The above photo was taken at Pennsic in the hair braiding shop just outside of MidRoyal. One of my staff noticed that someone we had on our award list was there and they weren’t staying for court. I was able to open court right there, with my herald, and give this young lady her AoA.
This is one of my favorite moments in my time as Queen and I’m so thankful someone was able to take a picture of it.
If you are lucky enough to be in the same position I have been in, remember that it’s not about you, it’s about everyone else. Be the Queen/King in their story. It’s their story, you are just one of the many characters in it.
