Comments by "Evan" (@MrEvanfriend) on "Why Were Caligae Open? When Were They Invented?" video.

  1. I thought that the source of Caligula's nickname was common knowledge. Apparently, he was not particularly fond of this nickname as an adult. And I can't really blame him either. If I was the most powerful man in the world, I wouldn't want to go by "Bootsie" or anything like that, it isn't exactly dignified. And caligae were indeed sandals. A sandal is "A light shoe with either an openwork upper or straps attaching the sole to the foot." The thick soles and high ankles of caligae don't foreclose any part of that definition. They may be boot sandals or military sandals or what have you, but they are sandals. Ox and cow are both cattle - they're the same species, the difference is what they're used for. Thus ox leather and cow leather are the exact same thing. Infantry is infantry. If you live on your feet, you learn the importance of taking care of them. That means if your boots are worn out, it's time to get a new pair. This is true whether you're a legionary or a lance corporal, whether your TO weapon is a gladius or an M27 IAR, whether those boots are caligae or Danners.
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