Backpacking in Ancient Rome: Old School, Minimalist
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- I adapted techniques from the ancient Roman army to modern ultralight backpacking. This video shows what I learned. The techniques used by the Roman army were simpler and better than the bindles that hobos used to carry their possessions during the Depression era of 1930s. Roman soldiers lashed several bags and tools together onto T-shaped poles, known as furcas. This stabilized the load, making it easy to carry.
Link to my video: "Hobo Hiking with a Bindle: Old School, Minimalist" • Hobo Hiking with a Bin...
Videography by Ken Kramm, July 30,2020; Filmed at W.G. Jones State Forest, Conroe, Texas. Medieval Combat, YAP Audio Production, Freesound.org Wexford, Kevin MacLeod, Free Public Domain; "The wild and reckless hobo" Cowen Powers Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 Generic cylinders.libra.... Issue Number/Label: 5131: Edison Blue Amberol Issue Number/Label: 10624: Edison Record Year of Release: [1926]
The standard Roman had to be able to hike 20 miles a day with full gear and than build a camp. Today the pole load is not so practical but the Yukon trail pack is. The shield is a load all by itself but a good Roman soldier would not go any place without it. Note this, the Romans made the best hiking boots in the world for over a 1000 years. Cheers mate.
Sandals?
@@edgarbleikur1929 with cleats
@@joshuacollins8013 sandals
I appreciate you always bringing up unique content
Seriously Ken should be registered as a national treasure, and I'm not even American!
Ken, I love when you talk about these old school methods. Peace, brother.....👏👏👏👏
My grandmother was a widow, during the depression, raising 4 children. She would feed hobos, in exchange for some chore. They had a hobo village, by the railroad tracks. When they left, they would say God bless you and they would mark an X on her gatepost. My great uncle, looked like a hobo and lived in a tar paper shack, but was immensely wealthy.
My mother was also a kind soul who would feed anyone who came to our door, and was hungry. She would always give them a meal, and some of my Dad's old clothes; sad that human kindness has become a thing of the past .... :-( :-(
That's a really heart warming story but your uncle sounds kinda like a Scrooge (glad I thought of a better term than dick, comments cam be taken so badly XD) but day how the rich stay rich
I like how you used that stick on the head end of the hammock. Do you know the difference between a Hobo, a Tramp, and a Bum. A Hobo is a transient worker. A Tramp is a transient non worker. A Bum in a non transient non worker.
And a Schmuck is a nontransient worker ;)
This makes sense , is it fact or fiction ?
Maitland Moore fact, stop living under a rock
A tramp is a dreamer
So nice to see you back, Kenneth!
With all those spikes under him, I feel like that was the the most adrenaline filled place to sleep he could have picked.
Since I read your comment I keep picturing him going to the emergency room with one of those cypress knees up his ass and trying to explain to the Doctor what happened.
@@mwillblade I'm glad the straps on his hammock held. That would be an ugly and uncomfortable experience.
It would have removed that permanent smile from his face..that's for sure..
David Kruger I feel this guy would get on well with that mr Ed bee keeper guy that has the RUclips channel
Barna Stil I’m smiling guys, the spikes are actually behind my hammock and in front of it. If the hammock slipped and I hit the ground, I be still smiling. The camera angle makes it appear the spikes are directly under me.
My Newfoundland is named Marius after the Consul who reformed the legions. I made him a furca a few years ago and he chewed it up and reminded me he was a Patrician and he has servants and slaves to carry his gear. I do carry his bowl, water, treats, poo bags etc when we go to the woods.
You lucky that you dont name him Spartakus.
You're a wonderful outdoor professor and demonstrator. 🤟
Great video! Cheers from Italy!
I love seeing new way to do old school stuff. Only issue I see with doing this is you don't have both hands free, but ultralight is great!
My father was a hobo in the 1930s. He gave me some interesting stories. I wish he told me more.
My father and uncles also rode the rails.
Your comment brought a tear to my eye. How often we wish we knew more. A wind of change is blowing. Peace be with you.
@@mwillblade all the stories are basically the same.
I also miss my father. Some times want to talk to him for advice even though I know the answers he would have given me.
Good one Kenneth. Love to see experimental archaeology in practice.
Regards, Keith.
Howdy again Ken. You always find the most desolate spots(lack of people) which is my way to camp! Enjoyed your history lesson as always. Cheers 🍻
I have always been keenly interested in the subject of experimental archaeology and living history, and this seems like an interesting exercise in both of those fields. Of all the methods of lightweight camping you tried, what was the most enjoyable/practical?
Nice video, thanks for sharing. I enjoyed watching.
Glad you enjoyed it
Good to see you again Ken! Cool topic thank you for sharing.
I'll bet that mosquito net, covering your hammock was a godsend, considering you were camped next to what appeared to be a swamp... stay safe
So nice to see you enjoying the outdoors. I’ll have to try the Roman method
Only the Roman sandals are lacking...nice video again
Good one Ken. I really enjoyed! I didn't know either facts about the America Beauty Berry either. Thanks!
Awesome! Thank you for the history! That's neat way to carry light, in the woods! I always enjoy your videos, I learn so much from you! God Bless you!!!
Always worth a watch. :-) Looking forward to your next time travel, when we will see how Ötzi the Iceman travelled! :-)
Great video Ken but I'm not sure I would've set my hammock up over those "daggers". You have a strap break and you're going to the hospital buddy!! Just lookin out for ya! May peace be with you!
Mike Cinq hi mike. Thanks for mentioning safety issues. The spikes are actually behind and in front of the hammock, so I would be sore from hitting the ground, but would be ok.
Great video. Looks like a comfortable and convenient way to carry lightweight kit. Might have been hard to keep stuff dry if it had rained though?
Nice video! Thanks Kenneth. Greetings from Patagonia!
To cross rivers and plant the pole on the ground so your stuff don't get wet being on the ground.....this is genius
I've noticed how pointed the cypress knees are. It wouldn't do to fall on one. Enjoyed the video and the furca concept.
good to see you are doing well. I always enjoy your videos and the history lessons. thank you and peace be with you
I love, love, love your videos, my fellow Texan. I love your peaceful nature and how you get the most out of a drop of serenity. Peace be with you. Shared on FaceBook, and waiting for your next. I also go back and enjoy your old videos too. I enjoyed your anniversary trip and just how lovely you see the world. Love you.
Hey old buddy, I don't know if you saw it, but Mykel Hawke did a program on this old Roman method you might check out :-)
Only problem is 1 arm always occupied I’ll sacrifice the extra pound or 2 to have free hands
For roman army more important was simply technic.Can you imagine costs and time for making one milion backpakcs for legionists? That stick every soldier can make himself in 10 minuts. And you need both free hands? You just simply throw down furca. Dont forget that during marching legionists needs only free 2 legs not hands. When they camp, or fight they leave that furca logistic system (FLS) in their camp. If there was ambush during marching simply drop FLS on ground and you ready for fight without heavy backpack on your back.
@Paladin Contra "when climbing, running, ducking" and other bad things roman legionaries propably left their sarcinas (whole cargo on furca) in camp. Dont forgot that legions was marching only on roads, when they moved for example from Egipt to Spain. When they patrolled hostile land most of their personal items was left in camp (legionaries ALWAYS make camp at end of day). Scouts was travell very light without luggage. I have no idea what KennethKramm willbe do with his staff, ask him.
I will try this out - thank you for sharing :)
the furca is probably more comfortable to carry than a simple bindle stick because the weight is not all swinging around on one point, that would give you a sore shoulder I imagine
Another great video,I looked into this last year when I saw a Furca in a English museum,totally packed with all the items they needed
Stay safe
Where is your gladeouse centurion? You shall be decimated for this infraction against protocol.
i bet you could reduce the weight even more if the furcas was made of aluminum or fiberglass.
Brilliant! I've got to try this now.
hmm...i've always thought about waltzing matilda sometime instead of using a backpack, but i think i'll try the furca instead...especially when i saw you use it with your hammock. did you just lash the cross-piece on, or did you notch it also?
Love it! :)
Thanks for not putting music over your video
7:55 you Kenneth have roots in Poland, only we wear sockets in sandals.
i remember reading your average roman legionnaire carried 50lbs to 60lbs in weight,
and would march about 8 hours a day before striking camp.
Average roman legionnaire was 25 - 30 years old, meybe younger. KennethKramm didnt play in reconstruction group of Roman Legion. He just use and adapt furca i think it's not illegal.
they had to carry those darn golden eagles, plus the honor of Rome itself was no light matter.
Those shields looked heavy.
lord I am ready for the fall to get my outside on!
Interesting and unique twist in familiar territory. You have a lot of dead air during cooking etc. I'd like to hear more contrast about how a Roman soldier's dinner activities compare. Tell stories, talk about Hanibal and elephants and junk?
Great job brother God-bless sure was beautiful out there
I saw you had posted a new video and was super annoyed I couldn't watch it right away. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it tremendously and even entertained the idea of giving that who idea a try myself!! You always make it look so fun and special. Thanks Ken!
I love this guy. He has such a kind soul
The bundle stick from some of those pictures looks like and ideal weapon for defense in a pinch, the furca was made for confort
True roman army have better toys for killing than stick.
Interesting video. I wasn't aware as to how the Roman Centurion carried his gear. I wonder what his sleep gear consisted of - just a blanket I guess.
The cloak doubled as a blanket
@@christopherellis2663 Do you know what the cloak was made from?
@@RobertsBulgaria wool.
They had 8 man tents carried on a donkey for each group of soliders (name for the group: contubernium, meaning tent-sharers)
And also with you.
Be careful having a sheath knife in bed, can turn into a blood bath if the knife falls out. One reason why I prefer folders.
Thanks for commenting
Thanks Kenneth, I have enjoyed the way you share your outdoor knowledge, experience and history lessons for many years. Peace be with you always.
I absolutely love your videos, sir. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of camping and the outdoors with us.
what kind of berries are those?
The furcas were also called Marius's Mules, because of how much you could carry that way.
Mariu's Mules was calling legionaries, but yes furca was a reason, couse removing mules from legion lowered costs of roman legion (Marius reform) and soldiers took over duty of mules. Lower costs and free gimm practice during marching, and everything for greater glory of Rome.
@@prasaite
No, the furca WAS the "mule" because it helped them carry up to 80 pounds of food and equipment, cook pot, grain grinder, etc. Also it was not used as bindlestiff as shown there. It was a thick hardwood staff about 2.5 inches thick with cross member, and it was used as a walking stick with a pack on the top. It would be only slightly shouldered by the soldier, but would bear its load itself while he transferred his weight forward. There was a thick felt pad that also mounted on his shoulder to cushion it. I studied Latin and Roman history for 5 years.
@@rstevewarmorycom Furca was automaticaly levitate or it was carry by human mule?
@@rstevewarmorycom en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marian_reforms
@@prasaite
That's one where Wikipedia is wrong. I was well trained by several classics scholars. The soldiers may have been called "mules" in jest, but the furca is known as Marius's Mule. And it is far more than a "forked stick",
What’s up Ken glad To see another video from you my friend. Your videos put me always in a relaxing state of mind thanks.
We can always count on you to bring “new” and useful gear reviews to us! Yours is one of the most thoughtful and humble outdoor channels I subscribe to...it’s refreshing compared to some testosterone laden channels.
I like your videos pal
I love your videos and I truly appreciate that you test different equipment out. I am going to try that configuration out for myself.
I must say that I was a little shocked that you chose to endure the yellow goop from that bag rather than open the door to the possibilities of what was in that pond.
Anyway, keep up the great work. I very much enjoy and appreciate what you are doing.
Thanks
I've often wondered how a furca setup would work in a modern context. Now I know! 👍
The length of the furca was not standardized but individual based on height. Your furca needs to be long enough to place the but onto the ground and lean forward so the weight may be taken off your shoulder and supported by your furca. You should carry your furca tighter to your back so the load won't swing and it will allow you to use the fulcrum built into the systems by the romans. The same goes for your bindle stick in ways of comfort not history.
Excellent video!
well good thanking
hye Thank for this video. What is your hamac please ?
So cool! I love the experimentation! One question - was your hammock set up directly over those pointy looking stumps, or was it just the camera angle? Good stuff! 👍
Great question. The hammock was directly over two of the stumps; the others were just beyond. No problem; this is safer than the cliffs that I often hang over
A lot of those plants to help stop insects need to be burnt and you stand in the smoke to get the “smell” on you. Not the case with the one you used ?
Next time bring the mule too!
Looked like you question the hammock your afraid it would fall,I had one fall once I'm careful now
Very interesting indeed. Would two furcas be better than one? Or is it too much to handle?
You forgot your spear and shield.
Virgin Bushcraft vs the Chad Ancient Rome backpacking
Looked like a fun experiment. I like your hammock modification..... I bet it takes away the “shoulder squeeze”. 👍🏻
I wonder if he could save weight with a carbon fiber pole filled with helium?
I am trying to reduce the things I carry as an effort to be minimalist. It's hard but can be done.
Greetings one hobby I like the content of friends 👍.Thank you for sharing experiences Good luck and success always 🙏 greetings 🙋
Nice supply of fat wood behind you at your campsite!
must be alot of mosquitoes by that still water! do you use anything to keep them off besides the hammock net?
what hammock is that
Now I know we're they got the idea of the crucifixion,
Could you give me the specs on the hammock you use thanks
Are man you took out the "flavor" package. Ha
'TOLLAT FURQA SUAM ET SEQUATUR ME.'( Pick up your crosses & follow me.) Christ must've been a Centurion once. In the same vein as Caesar was the Christ once. The Furqa as a soldiers grave marker goes back some. Hail Jullia.
Wish you were my grandpa... :) Such an amazing soul, hiking in the bush.
Always enjoyable !! and history lesson too.
Thnxs 4 uploading and sharing
Glad you enjoyed it
Every 9 men had a pack mule also...
Great video as always I really enjoy the focus of this one. Apparently I got unsubbed to you but I fixed that and hit the red button again.
Thanks for sharing great video and that is an interesting way to carry your gear.
Notice how @03:36 the Furca has that cross bar making a T. It creates a vertical blocking point for tying off. When Good Ole' Kramm shows us the other straight Bindle @05:08 notice how the bags slide down the shaft. In hiking the sliding would lead to a bouncy load taking extra muscle energy to control. Its also been commented that with a furca you can lean forward to drop the bottom end to support the weight. On a bindle the bags could slide down but the furca cross bar keeps them in position.
Thanks .. I use white wax wood bo staff to hike or as a furca.. You can put all of your body's weight on the staff...it can be used as a self defense staff. I have in 6 and 4 foot lengths. Wrapped with paracord, 1/4 x 20 insert on the end to add eyelets, or spear for fishing
2:25 Knowing my luck I would have picked poison ivy 🙂
Seriously though, an interesting vid.
Thanks for posting.
I love your videos, they’re great!
Always enjoy your peaceful vids Ken, it’s a crazy world just now.
Can I ask what make is the hammock please?
1 knife
2 tarp
3 fire steel Or/and lighter
4 cordage (string, rope, etc)
5 metal container
that is the minimal 5 piece survival kit
Bet the Furca would be more comfortable to carry when made of split, or otherwise flattened, staves. A bamboo one might possibly nice, too
Simple things in life are always more enjoyable. Thanks for sharing your video with us.
Can I join with you I really like camping in the forest 🌳
Man that’s a nice hammock
Beautiful video! I guess it's unlikely that the furca, loaded, could serve as a walking stick???