The Armor, Weapons, and Clothing of the Roman Army

in the time of C. Julius Caesar

made of wool sleeveless wide neck Joe Roman Legionnaire - white tunic Centurion - red tunic

Tunica

leather or linen Joe Roman Legionnaire – plate cuirass

(lorica hamata) Officers – laminated or scaled

cuirass(lorica squamata) Circular plates of iron sewn onto

leather or linen

Torques (necklaces)

Armillae (armbands)

Phalerae (embossed discs worn on the corselet)

Corona

Phalerae and Torques

.4 feet long Prevent neck opening from becoming

dirty and prevent chafing of neck by body armor

Different colors could represent different legions or cohorts

Fasciae (leg-swathings) – created specifically as a result of campaigning in Gaul› woolen pieces of cloth wrapped around legs

and secured with leather thongs Braccae – breeches of barbarians

› later adopted by Roman Army› made of leather

heavy, hob-nailed leather boots/sandals ¾ inch thick Cloth or fur stuffed inside

Paenulae/ Cloak› Yellow-brown› Represented shades of undyed wool› Centurions may have worn red› wool

Paludamentum/ Cloak or Cape› Worn over the cuirass by military officers› draped over left shoulder and wound

around left arm› Generals wore red cloaks

Bronze with iron skull cap lined with leather or cloth

Small peak jutted out in front Plate extended downwards at back to

protect neck Hinged cheek pieces at sides No plume, but horsehair flowing out of

top

Four feet by two and a half feet Rectangular/ Oval Shield with protruding boss Wood, hide, and canvas glued/bound with

iron and with an iron boss Bore insignia of legion on outer face Carried in left arm Equipped with 2 leather straps

Legionnaires carried 2 pila 2 types of pila (heavy and light) Large iron head or blade Hurled from the hand as a javelin or used like

a bayonet used to beat down hostile attacks Heavy, 7 foot, 1/3 iron spear

Spanish sword Short (about 22 inches long or 2 feet), straight,

uniform width, double edged blade Worn on right side on the cingulum (belt) or the

balteus (baldric) Leather or wooden scabbard, reinforced with

leather at top and bottom 2 inch wide blade for stabbing Bone handle Iron blade

Worn on right/ left side Used for closest hand-to-hand conflict Used in case of loss of sword Used as a knife Bulbous handle Blade had long tip

Slingers

Employed by army Bullets made of stone, baked clay, or

lead

Legionary

Centurion

Optio

Music

Cornu – trumpet which curves around body

Tuba – straight trumpet flares gradually through whole length

Bucina – narrow, cylindrical, straight trumpet, flaring out only close to the bell

Lituus – trumpet with gentle curve

Musicians

3 types› Cornicines› Tubicines› Bucinares

Instruments made of bronze

Cornicines

Tuba et Tubicines

Bucina et Bucinares

Lituus

Tribunus Militum

Praefectus

Bibliography

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