Every soldier was equipped with the basic
defensive and offensive equipment. All clothing was military standard, so everyone
would look uniform. There were three basic defensive tools used to prevent
attack. The Lorica, also known as the breastplate, was built to withstand frontal
attack. The Galea, Latin for helmet, was made to prevent crushing blows to the head
and face. The most important of the three however was the Scutum. This shield
was used to ward off attack in close battle, and utilized for many other protection
schemes. The offensive tools
consist of two types of weaponry. The first is the javelin. The javelins were
constructed to bend once inside the enemy, that way the enemy could not pull them out or
reuse them for their own needs. The second offensive weapon the soldier was equipped
with was the Gladius. This was the basic short sword that was good for close
attacks.
Side by side with these weapons were the
standard issue clothing. As a soldier, you were required to wear certain
clothing. The first of which was the Tunica. The Tunica was like an
undergarmet we have today. The next layer of clothing was much like a jacket, a
cloak of sorts that was worn over the tunica. And to top off the look, every soldier
wore a pair of Caligae, extremely heavy boots made for marching. In addition, all
the equipment was carried over the soldier's shoulder in a sarcina. The sarcina would
weigh about 50 pounds when completely full. |
