Solenarion in late Eastern Roman Empire/Byzantium ?
Hello friends,
I was focused mostly on composite bows for the long time, especially if it comes to pictorial evidence so i neglected a lot of other archery equipments
What caught my eye is fresco of St.Demetrios painted ca 1290 by iconographer Michael Panselinos in Protaton monastery, Mount Athos, Greece.
Besides other archery equipment such as very rich decorated tubular/closed quiver, bow and bowcase, St.Demetrios is represented holding 2 (simingly) short arrows between the fingers of the hand resting on the bow ears.
There's some object that seems to be attached to the ankle of left hand resting on the bow.
I really didn't see any discussion on this object in any paper by now. Most of people involved into composite bows and archery know about arrow guide known as Solenarion (σωληνάριον) and it caught attention from time to time. Arrow guide is very known due to preserved Ming, Arabic, Ottoman, Persian, Korean manuscripts (majrã, nawak, tong-ah etc...) and discussed in books. Arrow guide in the form of wooden tube holding small darts called mice, was mentioned in early and middle Byzantine period in Maurice's strategicon, Tactica and Problemata by Leo VI, Sylloge Tacticorum, Ambrosiana etc but there's no any depiction. The question is open, is object in the fresco solenarion? (I've marked it)
***Edited: On contrary, it could be shaft of mace but fresco is damaged at that place.
Best regards,
Zoran
I was focused mostly on composite bows for the long time, especially if it comes to pictorial evidence so i neglected a lot of other archery equipments
What caught my eye is fresco of St.Demetrios painted ca 1290 by iconographer Michael Panselinos in Protaton monastery, Mount Athos, Greece.
Besides other archery equipment such as very rich decorated tubular/closed quiver, bow and bowcase, St.Demetrios is represented holding 2 (simingly) short arrows between the fingers of the hand resting on the bow ears.
There's some object that seems to be attached to the ankle of left hand resting on the bow.
I really didn't see any discussion on this object in any paper by now. Most of people involved into composite bows and archery know about arrow guide known as Solenarion (σωληνάριον) and it caught attention from time to time. Arrow guide is very known due to preserved Ming, Arabic, Ottoman, Persian, Korean manuscripts (majrã, nawak, tong-ah etc...) and discussed in books. Arrow guide in the form of wooden tube holding small darts called mice, was mentioned in early and middle Byzantine period in Maurice's strategicon, Tactica and Problemata by Leo VI, Sylloge Tacticorum, Ambrosiana etc but there's no any depiction. The question is open, is object in the fresco solenarion? (I've marked it)
***Edited: On contrary, it could be shaft of mace but fresco is damaged at that place.
Best regards,
Zoran
BTW here's my argument against arrow guide. 14th century Serbian painting. Patriarchate of Pec. Warrior saint has massive mace hanged on the ankle by rope.
Zoran,
I can think of several things that it could be. The most likely is a horsewhip, but a mace is possible.
The short arrows are interesting, but it might only be an artistic device called fore-shortening meant to give depth. Since these paintings probably had exemplars in the form of old sketches of tracings, mistakes could be made in transcription.
It is odd that the object is hanging from his left wrist. If it is an arrow guide it should be on his right wrist, or in his quiver. However, that would be true for a riding crop too. His bow is on the left side suggesting he is right handed, but it is a painting that may have had to show certain aspects of the saint whether they were in a realistic position or not.
I can think of several things that it could be. The most likely is a horsewhip, but a mace is possible.
The short arrows are interesting, but it might only be an artistic device called fore-shortening meant to give depth. Since these paintings probably had exemplars in the form of old sketches of tracings, mistakes could be made in transcription.
It is odd that the object is hanging from his left wrist. If it is an arrow guide it should be on his right wrist, or in his quiver. However, that would be true for a riding crop too. His bow is on the left side suggesting he is right handed, but it is a painting that may have had to show certain aspects of the saint whether they were in a realistic position or not.