Quote Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla View Post
Firstly, you can't really inspect gear by naked firelight, you can't get the flame close enough. Even if the Romans had some sort of reflector (no evidence of which I know of) it would still be nearly impossible. So, the Roman soldier must do all his complex work in daylight, leaving pretty much just eating and sharpening of weapons to camp-fire time.
Once again, the modern infantryman cant use light of any kind at night, because it would give his position away. But we were still expected to keep our 782 gear and weapons clean and serviceable. And we didnt have all day to do it (way too busy closing with and destroying the enemy and such).