Weapons of the Roman Soldiers

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History, Facts and information about Weapons of the Roman Soldiers *** The times and soldiers of Ancient Rome *** The military life of the Romans *** Weapons of the Roman Soldiers *** Roman Army and Military *** Weapons of the Roman Soldiers *** Ancient history, facts and interesting information about the weapons of a Roman Soldier

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
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History, Facts and information about Weapons of the Roman Soldiers *** The times and soldiers of Ancient Rome *** The military life of the Romans *** Weapons of the Roman Soldiers *** Roman Army and Military *** Weapons of the Roman Soldiers *** Ancient history, facts and interesting information about the weapons of a Roman Soldier

Weapons of the Roman Soldiers