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The Oltremarini were the soldiers of Republic of Venice from oltre mare, 'beyond the sea' (this is the meaning of the English word ultramarine), also known as the Schiavoni, of Christian religion from Dalmatia, Venetian Albania and the Ionian Islands.

They were the most typical and famous soldiers of the Republic, of Venetian nationality and speaking Serbian, Croatian, Albanian and Greek (areas on the coast of Venetian territory). They formed eleven regiments named after their colonel, who was of their own origin.

Orders were given in their native language, or in Venetian, and among themselves they were called Brate ('brother').

The headquarters of the command was in Zadar in Dalmatia, while in Venice at the Riva degli Schiavoni was the sorting centre for new recruits, hence the origin of the name of the riva.Their attachment to the Venetian motherland was proverbial, and it is well known that General Bonaparte made it a condition for not storming the cities that they leave, the Venetian Senate recognised and reciprocated their loyalty by treating them with due respect.

They were armed with the famous schiavona sword, very heavy and broad-bladed, a muzzle-loading pistol, a long-bladed dagger and a rifle without a bayonet. They were born as 'marines' for landing operations and assaulting enemy shipping.

Famous for their courage and ferocity in battle, they did not, however, shine for discipline, so much so that in the city of Padua, where they performed guard duty, they were camped outside the walls because of the constant brawls in which they took part.

To instil more fear in the enemy, they wore long, unkempt hair and grew long mustachios.

They wore two uniforms, a high-mounted parade uniform consisting of a long crimson red jacket with blue lapels, and a daily uniform, which we see in the print, of the 7th Medin Regiment, consisting of a short dark blue jacket with crimson red lapels. They wore a variety of headgear, apart from the usual ordinance headgear, it was not uncommon to see an ultramarine wearing a marten or marten headgear, or an infantry helmet if they belonged to the Greek company of Butrint. Around the waist they wore a sash that could be red or yellow, as well as warrior's knot on their jacket depending on their rank.

Famosi per il loro coraggio e la loro ferocia in battaglia, non brillavano però per disciplina, tanto che nella città di Padova dove eseguivano il servizio di vigilanza vennero accampati fuori dalle mura per le continue risse di cui si resero partecipi.

Per incutere maggior timore al nemico portavano capelli lunghi e incolti e si facevano crescere dei lunghi mustacchi.

Avevano in dotazione due uniformi, una da parata d'alta montura composta da una giacca lunga rosso cremisi, con risvolti blu, e una giornaliera, che vediamo nella stampa, del 7° reggimento Medin, composta da una giacca corta blò scuro con risvolti rosso cremisi. Portavano diversi copricapi, oltre al solito di ordinanza, non era raro vedere un oltremarino con un copricapo di martora o faina, oppure il caschetto di fanteria se appartenevano alla compagnia greca di Butrinto. Intorno alla vita portavano una fusciacca che poteva essere rossa o gialla, come pure gli alamari della giacca a seconda del grado di appartenenza.