Ancient Times, Roman. - 017 - Costumes of All Nations (1882).
Military of the
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic ( la, Res publica Romana ) was a form of government of Rome and the era of the classical Roman civilization when it was run through public representation of the Roman people. Beginning with the overthrow of the Roman Ki ...
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 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
The Coolus helmet (named for Coolus, France) was a type of ancient Celtic and Roman helmet. It was typically made in bronze or brass and, like the Montefortino type with which it co-existed, was a descendant of Celtic helmet types. The expla ...
,
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
The ''lorica segmentata'' (), also called ''lorica lamminata'' (see Lorica segmentata#Name, §Name), is a type of personal armour that was used by soldiers of the Roman army, consisting of Laminar armor, metal strips fashioned into circular band ...
'' (segmented armour)
** ''
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'' h ...
'' (scale armour)
** ''
Lorica musculata'' (muscle armour)
Other garments and equipment included:
* A
tunic
* The
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 ma ...
, 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
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 ...
(trousers), popular among Roman legionaries stationed in cooler climates to the north of southern Italy
*
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 o ...
, 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
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 e ...
'', a cloak or cape fastened at one shoulder, worn by military commanders and (less often) by their troops. Ordinary soldiers wore a ''
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 encycloped ...
'' instead of a ''paludamentum''.
See also
*
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 Roma ...
References
{{reflist
External links
Beginners' Guide to Roman Military Equipmentat museums.ncl.ac.uk
Graham Sumner's website
*
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