The legions of the Roman Republic and Empire had a fairly standardised dress and armour, particularly from approximately the early to mid 1st century onward, when Lorica Segmentata (segmented armour) was introduced.[1] However the lack of unified production for the Roman army meant that there were still considerable differences in detail. Even the armour produced in state factories varied according to the province of origin.[2]
Ancient Times, Roman. - 017 - Costumes of All Nations (1882).
Fragments of surviving clothing and wall paintings indicate that the basic tunic of the Roman soldier was of red or undyed (off-white) wool.[3] Senior commanders are known to have worn white cloaks and plumes. The centurions, who made up the long serving backbone of the legions, were distinguished by transverse crests on their helmets, chest ornaments corresponding to modern medals, and the long cudgels that they carried.
Examples of items of Roman military personal armour included:
The baldric, a belt worn over one shoulder that is typically used to carry a weapon (usually a sword) or other implement such as a bugle or drum
The balteus, the standard belt worn by the Roman legionary. It was probably used to tuck clothing into or to hold weapons.
Braccae (trousers), popular among Roman legionaries stationed in cooler climates to the north of southern Italy
Caligae, heavy-soled military shoes or sandals which were worn by Roman legionary soldiers and auxiliaries throughout the history of the Roman Republic and Empire.
The focale, a scarf worn by the Roman legionary to protect the neck from chafing caused by constant contact with the soldier's armor
The loculus, a satchel, carried by legionaries as a part of their sarcina (marching pack)
The paludamentum, a cloak or cape fastened at one shoulder, worn by military commanders and (less often) by their troops. Ordinary soldiers wore a sagum instead of a paludamentum.
^Michael Simkins, page 17 "The Roman Army from Hadrian to Constantine", Osprey Publishing 1979"
^Windrow, Martin (1996). Imperial Rome at War. p. 16. ISBN962-361-608-2.
^Sumner, Graham (2009). Roman Military Dress. Stroud: The History Press. ISBN978-07524-4576-2.
External links
at museums.ncl.ac.uk
Graham Sumner's website
April 16, 2023
ancient, roman, military, clothing, legions, roman, republic, empire, fairly, standardised, dress, armour, particularly, from, approximately, early, century, onward, when, lorica, segmentata, segmented, armour, introduced, however, lack, unified, production, r. The legions of the Roman Republic and Empire had a fairly standardised dress and armour particularly from approximately the early to mid 1st century onward when Lorica Segmentata segmented armour was introduced 1 However the lack of unified production for the Roman army meant that there were still considerable differences in detail Even the armour produced in state factories varied according to the province of origin 2 Ancient Times Roman 017 Costumes of All Nations 1882 Fragments of surviving clothing and wall paintings indicate that the basic tunic of the Roman soldier was of red or undyed off white wool 3 Senior commanders are known to have worn white cloaks and plumes The centurions who made up the long serving backbone of the legions were distinguished by transverse crests on their helmets chest ornaments corresponding to modern medals and the long cudgels that they carried Examples of items of Roman military personal armour included Galea or soldier s helmet Variant forms included the Coolus helmet Montefortino helmet and Imperial helmet Greaves to protect the legs Lorica armour including Lorica hamata mail armour Lorica manica arm guards Lorica plumata a form of scale armour resembling feathers Lorica segmentata segmented armour Lorica squamata scale armour Lorica musculata muscle armour Other garments and equipment included A tunic The baldric a belt worn over one shoulder that is typically used to carry a weapon usually a sword or other implement such as a bugle or drum The balteus the standard belt worn by the Roman legionary It was probably used to tuck clothing into or to hold weapons Braccae trousers popular among Roman legionaries stationed in cooler climates to the north of southern Italy Caligae heavy soled military shoes or sandals which were worn by Roman legionary soldiers and auxiliaries throughout the history of the Roman Republic and Empire The focale a scarf worn by the Roman legionary to protect the neck from chafing caused by constant contact with the soldier s armor The loculus a satchel carried by legionaries as a part of their sarcina marching pack The paludamentum a cloak or cape fastened at one shoulder worn by military commanders and less often by their troops Ordinary soldiers wore a sagum instead of a paludamentum See also Edit Ancient Rome portalRoman military personal equipmentReferences Edit Michael Simkins page 17 The Roman Army from Hadrian to Constantine Osprey Publishing 1979 Windrow Martin 1996 Imperial Rome at War p 16 ISBN 962 361 608 2 Sumner Graham 2009 Roman Military Dress Stroud The History Press ISBN 978 07524 4576 2 External links EditBeginners Guide to Roman Military Equipment at museums ncl ac uk Graham Sumner s website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ancient Roman military clothing amp oldid 1136831864, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
