Tents

By Andrew Yamato

Although we lack surviving artifacts or artistic depictions, the evidence for Ancient Greeks using tents on campaign is overwhelming.

Homer (probably) describes Greeks living in tents for a decade; the term he uses (skeuē) is ambiguously translated as “shelter,” but given the scarcity of ready timber on the Troad (or much of mainland Greece for that matter), he is more likely referring to tents than wooden structures. Thucydides records how during the Peloponnesian War, the Syracusans "marched with all their people to Catana, and ravaged the land and set fire to the tents (σκηνάς) and encampment of the Athenians" (6.75.2). He also records that the Syracusans building counter-walls to prevent Athenian circumvallation retired to their tents at midday, which is when the Athenians chose to attack them (6.100.1). Xenophon makes frequent and routine mention of tents (including leather tents, which at one point his Cyreans stuff with straw to make rafts), and he refers to the smallest units of military organization as a suskeniai -- literally "those who sleep in the same tent" (which he uses interchangeably with sussitoi, or messmates).

Our modern word “canvas” is derived from the Greek word cannibas (κάνναβις) so it’s probable that Greek tents were made of hemp. Although probably more expensive then as now, linen was almost certainly used as well. We also have surviving artifacts of later Roman military tents made from a patchwork of goatskin leather, which suggest that this material was also used in earlier antiquity. We have made tents of both materials, as seen below.

Goatskin Tent Construction

Tents are critical pieces of reenacting equipment. Fortunately, for our impression, a simple two-man tent is exceedingly easy to make by simply joining two 6-7 foot lengths of standard 5 foot wide hemp or linen canvas (16oz or more is a good substantial weight) down the middle. The outer edges of the fabric will then need to be fitted with reinforced holes or leather loops to take short tent-stake ropes made from hemp or jute. A primitive “pebble and string” method can also be used; this involves placing a small stone in a gathered “pouch” of tent material and trying it off with a cord that gets looped around a stake. The stakes themselves can be wood or forged iron. A wooden frame can be as simple as a spear shaft laid across two forked branches, but you can also construct a simple lumber crossbar attached to poles with dowel pins. You’ll want poles tall enough to allow you to sit comfortably inside (about 4’).

For our personal tent, I opted for goatskin, which is relatively inexpensive, lightweight, durable, and more or less waterproof.

*The skins are trimmed to produce rectangles in one of four widths.*

*The skins are arranged by width group to create the tent. The skins are then sewn together by machine with downward-opening lapped seams to promote water runoff and hide the stitching.*

*The entire perimeter of the tent is turned and hand-stitched, and vegetable tanned leather loops are attached at the seams to take hemp stake ropes.*

*After being draped over a simple wooden frame, the tent is then saturated with several gallons of Neetsfoot oil to make it waterproof.*

*The open ends can be partially enclosed with aspides.* At some point in the future we’re planning to add end flaps that will make the tent fully enclosed, but so far it’s proven perfectly adequate in both the scorching heat of high summer in Greece and near-freezing nights in the northeastern US.

Canvas Tent Construction

The pattern provided here is for half a tent, with the other half being sewn to the top (hatched line) to create the top seam. This produces an equilateral wedge tent, 5’ on a side and just over 6’ long, 52” high, with closable end flaps, from 7 yards of canvas. A tent this size could comfortably fit one man and his gear, or two men, and can be held up by a 7’ shaft (the length of a sparring dory). End closures and loops for stakes/ropes could be made of canvas or leather.

We recommend using either hemp or linen canvas. (The items linked here are just two of the less expensive options available online.) Be sure to consider the weight of the fabric you’re buying – 8oz is more suited to lightweight garments, while 16oz is better for a sturdier tent canvas. For a simple two-man tent (or one man and his gear), a 7’ x 10’ dimension of fabric is sufficient. Whatever material you choose, you’ll need something to drape it over. This can be as simple as a spear shaft laid across two forked branches, but it’s probably best to construct a simple lumber crossbar attached to poles with dowel pins. You’ll want poles tall enough to allow you to sit comfortably inside (about 4’). We also have some rough wooden forked poles that can be used if necessary (let me know).

The outer edges of the fabric will then need to be fitted with reinforced holes or leather loops (be sure to use vegetable tanned leather) to take short tent-stake ropes made from hemp or jute. A primitive “pebble and string” method can also be used; this involves placing a small stone in a gathered “pouch” of tent material and trying it off with a cord that gets looped around a stake. The stakes themselves can be wood or forged iron.

Additional end flaps and shade tarps can be attached for greater comfort, but cloaks and aspides can also be used to enclose the tent.