This well-equipped Roman legionary from the early Empire is the soldier most often portrayed by Hollywood and the one most familiar today. The legionary is wearing a lorica segmentata, or segmental armor, instead of the chain mail or scales used in earlier times. His shield, now rectangular, offers better protection than previous oval shields. Deductions were made from the soldier's pay to cover his equipment, but he was given "nail money" to replace worn boots.
1. Helmet
The Roman helmet, made of iron or bronze, was designed to protect the head, neck, and face without impairing the soldier's ability to see or hear orders while in battle.
2. Armor
Segmental armor, invented in the 1st century A.D., was made of metal strips fastened together by internal leather straps. The Romans used three types of body armor: segmental, mail and scales. The segmental armor offered better protection than scales and was easier to manufacture than chain mail.
3. Tunic
The military tunic, made of wool or linen, was worn under the armor and reached mid-thigh, leaving the legs exposed for greater mobility. (Romans would eventually adopt the use of trousers.) Red and white were the most common military tunic colors.
4. Gladius
Worn on the right, the gladius was a long-pointed, double-edge short sword that the Romans adopted from the Spanish. The gladius was the soldier's main weapon in close combat and was used to stab and slash at the enemy.
5. Belt and Groin Guard
The military belt or cingulum, covered with decorative plates of metal, had an apron of leather strips called a sporran or groin guard, which was more decorative than defensive. Military belts were carefully chosen by the soldier according to his wealth and personal tastes.
6. Pugio
The Roman dagger or pugio was worn on the left and was carried in elaborately decorated sheaths inlaid with silver or gold. Of Spanish origin, the dagger became larger after the 2nd century A.D.
7. Pilum
The pilum was a heavy javelin, used by legionaries in battle as a short-range weapon. The iron head could penetrate a wooden shield and body armor. To improve its penetration, weights were sometimes added.
8. Shield
Roman soldiers carried the scutum, a curved rectangular shield, weighing as much as 22 pounds, on the left to protect their body. Shields were made of two or three layers of plywood glued together and covered with canvas and then with dyed red hide. At the center of the scutum is a raised iron knob used to deflect weapons.
© 2003 Educational Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved.