Page 36 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

34

CE ROMAN LEGIONARY’S
ARMOR AND WEAPONS
O 500 The Roman legionary, the mainstay of the Roman army, fought ◀ GALLIC HELMET
Brow guard

in legions roughly 5,000 strong. Their equipment was well adapted
ORDS T for fighting in close formation, each soldier being equipped with two Date Late 1st century ce
Origin Roman Empire
pila (javelins) that could be hurled, and a gladius (a short stabbing sword),
Material Iron
which was used in hand-to-hand fighting. The dimensions of the equipment
This modern replica depicts an
changed over time—a longer slashing sword, the spatha, came to be
Imperial-Gallic helmet that was
AND SW preferred over the gladius. Broad Wide influenced by Celtic models
and had a deeper neck guard
than earlier Roman helmets,
which made it harder to crouch
and dictated a more upright
neck guard
fighting style for its wearers.
TS Overlapping Shoulder cheekpiece Bronze and leather attachments
scales
CHARIO protection
to hold metal plates together

▲ LORICA SQUAMATA
of overlapping metal scales an inch
Date 1st century ce Legionaries often wore armor
long, made of copper or iron, bound
Origin Roman Empire together with iron and sewn onto
Material Iron a cloth underpiece. By the late
1st century ce, it was increasingly
superseded by lorica segmentata.

Central boss
deflected spear
and sword thrusts

Long, tapered
◀ SCUTUM ▲ LORICA SEGMENTATA
point
Date 1st century ce Date Late 1st century ce
Origin Roman Empire Origin Roman Empire
Weight 15–20lb (6.8–9kg) Material Iron, bronze, leather
Width 29in (73cm) This modern replica Roman armor is
The scutum (legionary shield) was a long made up of overlapping iron plates with
rectangle that curved inward to form a leather straps running underneath. It
part cylinder, giving greater protection probably had its origins in gladiatorial Triangular
to its wearer. As depicted on this modern equipment and, although providing good tip
replica, it was adorned with legionary protection, the complicated fittings made
insignia. When not in use, it was protected it hard to maintain.
by a leather cover.