Roman Armour
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Roman Armour
Ancient Times, Roman. - 017 - Costumes of All Nations (1882). Military of the Roman Republic and Empire wore loosely regulated dress and armour. The contemporary concept of uniforms was not part of Roman culture and there were considerable differences in detail. Armour was not standardized and even that produced in state factories varied according to the province of origin. Likewise the Romans had no concept of obsolescence. Provided it remained serviceable, soldiers were free to use armour handed down by family money, buy armour from soldiers who had completed their service, or wear discontinued styles of armour if they preferred it to (or could not afford) the latest issue. Thus, it was common for legions to wear a mix of various styles that could cover a considerable time period. Fragments of surviving clothing and wall paintings indicate that the basic tunic of the Roman soldier was of red or undyed (off-white) wool. Senior commanders are known to have worn white cloaks and plum ...
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Ancient Times, Roman
Ancient history is a time period from the beginning of writing and recorded human history to as far as late antiquity. The span of recorded history is roughly 5,000 years, beginning with the Sumerian cuneiform script. Ancient history covers all continents inhabited by humans in the period 3000 BCAD 500. The three-age system periodizes ancient history into the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age, with recorded history generally considered to begin with the Bronze Age. The start and end of the three ages varies between world regions. In many regions the Bronze Age is generally considered to begin a few centuries prior to 3000 BC, while the end of the Iron Age varies from the early first millennium BC in some regions to the late first millennium AD in others. During the time period of ancient history, the world population was already exponentially increasing due to the Neolithic Revolution, which was in full progress. While in 10,000 BC, the world population stood ...
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Lorica Squamata
The ''lorica squamata'' () is a type of scale armour used by the ancient Roman military during the Roman Republic and at later periods. It was made from small metal scales sewn to a fabric backing. No examples of an entire ''lorica squamata'' have been found, but there have been several archaeological finds of fragments of such shirts and individual scales are quite common finds—even in non-military contexts. Usage in the Roman army It is typically seen on depictions of ''signiferes'' (standard bearers), '' aeneatores'', centurions, cavalry troops, and auxiliary infantry, as well as regular legionaries. On occasion the emperor would even be depicted wearing the ''lorica squamata''. During the Dacian Wars Trajan had to re-equip his soldiers wearing ''lorica segmentata'' with other forms of armor such as the '' lorica hamata'' and ''lorica squamata''. It is not known precisely when the Romans adopted the type of armor, but it remained in use for about eight centuries, mos ...
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Roman Military Personal Equipment
Roman military personal equipment was produced in large numbers to established patterns, and used in an established manner. These standard patterns and uses were called the ''res militaris'' or ''disciplina''. Its regular practice during the Roman Republic and Roman Empire led to military excellence and victory. The equipment gave the Romans a very distinct advantage over their barbarian enemies, especially so in the case of armour. This does not mean that every Roman soldier had better equipment than the richer men among his opponents. According to Edward Luttwak, Roman equipment was not of a better quality than that used by the majority of Rome's adversaries. Other historians and writers have stated that the Roman army's need for large quantities of "mass produced" equipment after the Marian Reforms and subsequent civil wars led to a decline in the quality of Roman equipment compared to the earlier Republican era: Initially, they used weapons based on Greek and Etruscan ...
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Sagum
The sagum was a garment of note generally worn by members of the Roman military during both the Republic and early Empire. Regarded symbolically as one of war by the same tradition which embraced the toga as a garment of peace,{{cite encyclopedia , editor = Henry Nettleship and J. E. Sandys , encyclopedia = Dictionary of Classical Antiquities The ''Dictionary of Classical Antiquities'' (1891, revised many times in the 1950s and 60s), covers Ancient Greek and Roman antiquities, mythology and literature in over 2,500 articles. It was written in German by Oskar Seyffert and edited by ... , title = Sagum , url = http://www.ancientlibrary.com/seyffert/0557.html , accessdate = 2007-02-03 , year = 1894 , url-status = dead , archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070202081018/http://www.ancientlibrary.com/seyffert/0557.html , archivedate = 2007-02-02 it was slightly more practical, consisting of a simple rectangular segment of cloth fastened by a leather or metal cla ...
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Paludamentum
In Republican and Imperial Rome, the ''paludamentum'' () was a cloak or cape fastened at one shoulder, worn by military commanders (e.g., the ''legatus'') and rather less often by their troops. As supreme commander of the whole Roman army, Roman emperors were often portrayed wearing it in their statues and on their coinage. After the reign of Augustus, the ''paludamentum'' was restricted to the Emperor. Children would also wear it sometimes, when there was bad weather and they needed protection. The ''paludamentum'' was generally crimson, scarlet, or purple in colour, or sometimes white.(1919."The Encyclopedia Americana" Encyclopedia Americana Corporation, page 220. Retrieved on 2007-10-06. It was fastened at the shoulder with a clasp, called a fibula, whose form and size varied through time. Putting on the ''paludamentum'' was a ceremonial act on setting out for war.Roman Tribune:Clothing of the Military Roman Tribune." Retrieved on August 16, 2010 Etymology According to Varr ...
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Sarcina
The ''sarcina'' was the marching pack carried by Roman legionaries, the heavy infantry of the Roman legions. Most of a legionary's equipment other than his arms and armour would, in early times, have been consigned to a baggage train and borne by mules and carts. However, following the reforms of the Roman general Gaius Marius, the soldiers were expected to carry much of their rations and equipment themselves. This was done to reduce the size of the baggage train and increase the mobility of the army by allowing the soldiers to move strategically (i.e., quickly) independently of the train. Such was the load of the soldiers that they became known as "Marius' Mules". The appearance of the marching pack is known from illustrations on Trajan's Column. Here it can be seen that a legionary's ''sarcina'' was carried on a pole called a '' furca'' and would have included: *'' Loculus'' – a satchel *Cloak bag *Cooking pot *''Patera'' – mess tin *Netted object However, this wa ...
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Loculus (satchel)
''Loculus'' is a Latin word literally meaning ''little place'' and was used in a number of senses including to indicate a satchel. Satchels were carried by Roman soldiers as a part of their '' sarcina'' or luggage. No ''loculus'' has survived in entirety although some small portions of leather found at Bar Hill (Strathclyde, Scotland) have tentatively been identified as parts of a ''loculus''. The object is primarily known from illustrations on Trajan's Column. The ''loculus'' is thought to have measured about and was likely made from leather. It is the right size to be made in one piece from a single goat hide although calf leather is also possible. The bag is reinforced by diagonal straps. In the centre of the front of the bag these straps held a bronze ring with a mushroom-shaped stud that holds the triangular flap closed. At the top corners were two plain bronze rings used to suspend the bag while it is carried on a shoulder pole or '' furca''. The ''loculus'' was proba ...
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Focale
The ''focale'' (plural ''focalia''), also known as a ''sudarium'' ("sweat cloth"), was a woolen or linen scarf worn by ancient Roman military personnel. It protected the neck from chafing by the armor. The ''focale'' is depicted widely in military scenes from Roman art, such as the relief sculpture on the Arch of Septimius Severus in the Roman Forum and Trajan's Column. It is shown loosely knotted in the front, but is sometimes visible with the ends tucked inside the cuirass. In Latin literature, ''focale'' is a general word for a scarf or wrapping for the throat. A ''focale'' was one of the gifts that might be given for the December festival of Saturnalia, according to Martial. In one of his satires, Horace lists ''focalia'' among the "badges of illness" ''(insignia morbi)''. In describing the correct attire for public speaking, Quintilian advises against wearing a ''focale'', unless required by poor health. Although a ''sudarium'' often is used as a handkerchief, it can ...
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Caligae
Caligae ( Latin; singular ) are heavy-soled hobnailed military sandal-boots that were worn as standard issue by Roman legionary foot-soldiers and auxiliaries, including cavalry. History Caligae (singular ') are heavy-duty, thick-soled openwork boots, with hobnailed soles. They were worn by the lower ranks of Roman cavalrymen and foot-soldiers, and possibly by some centurions. A durable association of caligae with the common soldiery is evident in the latter's description as ''caligati'' ("booted ones"). In the early 1st century AD, the soldiery affectionately nicknamed the two- or three-year-old Gaius "Caligula" ("little boot"), because he wore a diminutive soldier's outfit, complete with small ''caligae''. Occasionally, hobnailed ''caligae'' must have proved inconvenient, especially on hard surfaces; Josephus describes the killing of a ''caliga''-shod Roman centurion who had slipped on the Temple of Jerusalem's marble floor during an attack. Nevertheless, the ...
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Braccae
is the Latin term for "trousers", and in this context is today used to refer to a style of trousers made from wool. According to the Romans, this style of clothing originated from the Gauls. were typically made with a drawstring, and tended to reach from just above the knee at the shortest, to the ankles at the longest, with length generally increasing in tribes living further north. For the Romans, to encircle the legs and thighs with ''fasciae'', or bands, was understood, in the time of Pompey and Horace, to be a proof of ill health and effeminacy. Roman men typically wore tunics, which were one-piece outfits terminating at or above the knee. Etymology The word originates from the Gaulish , after going through a process of syncopation it gave rise to "trouser, pants". The word is cognate with the English ''breeches''. It appears to derive from the Indo-European root '- "break", here apparently used in the sense "divide", "separate", as in Scottish Gaelic ("trousers"), in ...
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Balteus (sword Belt)
A baldric (also baldrick, bawdrick, bauldrick as well as other rare or obsolete variations) is 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 word may also refer to any belt in general, but this usage is poetic or archaic. In modern contexts, military drum majors usually wear a baldric. Usage Baldrics have been used since ancient times, usually as part of military dress. The design offers more support for weight than a standard waist belt, without restricting movement of the arms, and while allowing easy access to the object carried. Alternatively, and especially in modern times, the baldric may fill a ceremonial role rather than a practical one. Most Roman tombstones in the third century had depictions of white baldrics. Design One end of the baldric was broad and finished in a straight edge, while the other was tapered to a narrow strip. The narrow end was brought through a scabb ...
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Baldric
A baldric (also baldrick, bawdrick, bauldrick as well as other rare or obsolete variations) is 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 word may also refer to any belt in general, but this usage is poetic or archaic. In modern contexts, military drum majors usually wear a baldric. Usage Baldrics have been used since ancient times, usually as part of military dress. The design offers more support for weight than a standard waist belt, without restricting movement of the arms, and while allowing easy access to the object carried. Alternatively, and especially in modern times, the baldric may fill a ceremonial role rather than a practical one. Most Roman tombstones in the third century had depictions of white baldrics. Design One end of the baldric was broad and finished in a straight edge, while the other was tapered to a narrow strip. The narrow end was brought through a sc ...
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