Welcome to

THE GOAT'S PEN

This page is an attempt to educate the new reenactor/living historian and hopefully make the path as smooth and painless as possible. We will show you how to approach the hobby seriously, how to build your panoply as accurately and as inexpensively as possible and even give you tips as to how you can build an accurate, battleworthy spolas. The difference between a reenactor and a living historian is the basic reenactor simply wants to play dress-up, whereas the living historian honors his period of reenactment as faithfully and accurately as possible - accurate enough to go back in time (if it were possible) and blend in without being noticed as out-of-place.

Let me begin first by telling you to educate yourself as much as possible, so as to be able to accurately identify what is Greek and what is not. Many cultures have Greek-looking items, but there are distinct differences IF you know what to look for. Study the pottery and wall paintings extensively so you can accurately identify the different periods of Greek history. These are what I like to refer to as "ancient Greek photographs." 

Avoid eBay at ALL cost when looking to fill out your panoply; you will find NOTHING accurate there! Avoid movie props for the most part as well ("Alexander" the one possible exception). Avoid items made in India; the helmets are cheap enough, but they are entirely too big, plus the shape is not quite right either. The spears are too large as well, and the weapons are not made from good steel. Let's be perfectly clear: Greeks did NOT wear Superman capes or vambraces!! I have no idea how those myths got started. Don't be impatient with your purchases or you will wind up buying junk and wasting your money, then you'll only have to re-buy something accurate at a later date.

This is NOT a cheap hobby when pursued correctly, but you can save yourself a lot of money, trouble and time if you are serious and patient enough to make prudent decisions. We will attempt to give you informed strategies to do it RIGHT!