{"id":2099,"date":"2023-03-09T21:06:18","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T20:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=2099"},"modified":"2023-03-09T21:06:18","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T20:06:18","slug":"what-did-the-ancient-romans-wear-in-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/what-did-the-ancient-romans-wear-in-battle\/","title":{"rendered":"What did the ancient romans wear in battle?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Assuming you want a brief history of ancient Roman military attire: <\/p>\n

The Roman Republic dominated the Mediterranean world for over two centuries through a combination of military power, economic growth, and political skill. One of the keys to their success was the professional Roman army which was, in its early days, a volunteer force of property-owning citizen-soldiers. These soldiers were equipped with the best weapons and armor available at the time which, while not perfect, were far superior to anything else on the battlefield. <\/p>\n

The Roman army was divided into legions, each of which was divided into cohorts. The basic unit of the legion was the century, which was divided into ten companies of eighty men each. The cohort was the primary tactical unit of the army, equivalent to the modern battalion, and was divided into three maniples of two centuries each. <\/p>\n

The typical soldier, or legionary, was armed with a metal helmet, a wooden shield covered in leather, a metal breastplate or chain mail shirt, metal shin guards, and a metal spear with an iron point. In addition to his spear, the legionary carried a sword, which was his primary weapon in close combat.<\/p>\n

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The ancient Romans wore a variety of armor depending on their rank and station. The most common type of armor was the lorica segmentata, which was made up of metal strips riveted together to form a sort of chain mail. This was often supplemented with a wooden or metal shield, and a helmet.<\/p>\n

What did Romans wear to war? <\/h2>\n

The Romans used three types of body armour: a hooped arrangement called lorica segmentata; scaled metal plates called lorica squamata, and chain mail or lorica hamata. Mail was durable and was used almost throughout Roman history as Roman soldier’s armour.<\/p>\n

Men in ancient Rome typically wore a knee-length tunic called a chilton. Over this, they would wear a cloak which was wrapped around their body. Important Roman men would wear a long robe called a toga made from white wool or linen. Women in Rome wore a longer tunic than men which went down to their ankles.<\/p>\n

What is a Roman battle skirt called <\/h3>\n

Pteruges were a common item worn by Roman and Greek soldiers and warriors. They were a defensive skirt made of leather or multi-layered fabric (linen) strips or lappets. They were worn around the waist and depended from the cuirasses. They protected the hips and thighs. Similar defenses, epaulette-like strips, were worn on the shoulders, protecting the upper arms.<\/p>\n

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The body armour made from overlapping iron strips was a type of armour used in ancient times. These metal strips were fastened with hooks and laces at the front and hinged at the back. These were held together by vertical leather strips on the inside. This enabled the soldier to be well protected and also be flexible enough to allow him to bend.<\/p>\n

How do you dress like a Roman soldier? <\/h2>\n

And linen under tunic to absorb all the sweat and perspiration after a long day’s march crucial. The tunic would then be removed and the linen washed.<\/p>\n

The paludamentum was a cloak or cape fastened at one shoulder, worn by military commanders in Republican and Imperial Rome. It was less often worn by their troops. The paludamentum was a symbol of authority and power.<\/p>\n

How did the Romans fight their battles? <\/h2>\n

The Roman Legions were some of the most effective fighting forces in history. They were highly disciplined and well trained, and their equipment was designed for both offense and defense. They fought with short swords, daggers, and a long spear, and they also carried a shield and wore armor. Their tactics were simple but versatile enough to face different enemies in multiple terrains, from the forests of Germania to the rocky planes of the Greek peninsula.<\/p>\n

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There is a wide belief that the early Roman infantry was mainly composed of armoured hoplites. This is based on Etruscan representations which show hoplites wearing bronze helmets, breastplates and greaves. They would also have had a round leather or large circular bronze-plated wooden shield. This would have provided them with good protection in battle.<\/p>\n

What did a Roman soldier carry <\/h3>\n

A soldier’s kit is his or her equipment, carried on a pole. It typically includes spare clothes, food rations, a cooking pot, a short spade, a handmill for grinding corn, and two wooden stakes, which can be used to help build a protective fence (palisade). The soldier’s trusty shield (scutum) is typically carried on the left side of the body.<\/p>\n

The balteus was the standard belt worn by the Roman legionary. It was probably used to tuck clothing into or to hold weapons.