|
Weapons of the Roman Soldiers
Weapons of the Roman Soldiers
- the Armor
The life of a
Roman legionary was hard and disciplined. Roman Soldiers were
trained to march twenty miles a day. The main dependence of
the Roman legion was on the infantry, which wore heavy armor
consisting of helmet, breastplate, greaves on the right leg,
and on the left arm a buckler. The breastplate, or cuirass, was
generally made of metal, and sometimes was highly
ornamented. Chain-mail was also used. The greaves were of
bronze or brass, with a lining of leather or felt, and
reached above the knees.
Shield of the Roman Soldiers
The shield worn by the
heavy-armed infantry was not round, but oval or oblong,
adapted to the shape of the body and was made of wood or
wicker-work. The shield was often used as a weapon in its
own right.
Shield and Weapons of the Roman Soldiers
The weapons of the Roman Soldiers consisted of a
light spear, a pilum, or javelin, over six feet long,
terminated by a steel point and a short cut-and-thrust sword
with a double edge. In the time of the empire, when the
legion was modified, the infantry wore cuirasses and
helmets, and carried a sword and dagger. The select infantry
were armed with a long spear and a shield; the rest, with a
pilum. Each man carried a saw, a basket, a mattock, a
hatchet, a leather strap, a hook, a chain, and provisions
for three days.
Weapons of the Roman Soldiers
- The Equites
The Equites (cavalry) wore
helmets and cuirasses, like the infantry, having a
broadsword at the right side, and in the hand a long pole. A
buckler swung at the horse's flank. They were also furnished
with a quiver containing three or four javelins.
Weapons of the Roman Soldiers
The content of this Weapons of the Roman Soldiers
category provides free educational
details, facts and information for reference and research
for schools, colleges and homework. Refer to the
Colosseum Sitemap for a comprehensive search on interesting
different categories containing the history, facts and
information about the people of Ancient Rome.
|
