Helmet- Roman helmets were generally made from some sort of copper alloy (usually brass or bronze). The helmets sometimes had fittings to allow the placement of logos or crests. The helmets were made of three different features; the cheek pieces to protect the side of the soldier’s face, the bowl to protect the soldier’s neck, and the brow guard which was used to defend the soldiers face from downward blows. The soldiers sometimes had a tendency to engrave or scratch their names on their helmets, for identification purposes.

 Body Armor- the body armor that was worn was made up of three parts; mail, scales, and segmental. The mail was worn across the chest and held at the shoulders, and usually they would have padding on the shoulders. Mail was made of iron rings interlinked with one another. Scales were tiny iron, or bronze plates that were wired to the plate next to it horizontally. The plates were also sewn to leather backing. The Romans later in the 2^nd Century AD used a "semi- rigid cuirass" in which the plates were now wired together horizontally as well as vertically. These scales were. The segmental body armor was made from large iron plates fastened to leather straps on the inside. This would cover the entire front side of the soldier.

Limb Armor (Greaves or segmental arm guards)- Greaves were armor shielding the legs they were often worn by the legionnaires in the imperial age and were sometimes worn by centurions (ranking officers of 100 men). The infantry used the segmental arm guards made of iron or a copper alloy. These plates were also attached to leather straps, like the segmental body armor.

Tunic- The tunic was like a long baggy T- shirt seamed on both sides. It was worn under the armor and above the knee. The military and slaves wore tunics above their knees while ordinary citizens covered their knees. Red and white tunics are believed to be the colors of the military tunics although it is not certain. Materials were wool and linen.

Boots- Boots were made of leather. One piece of leather was lavishly cut to fit around the bottom part of the leg. The boot then had separate leather soles layered on top of each other finished together with cone shaped nails. The nails on the soles were deigned for the best efficiency, so that the weight on the sole was distributed evenly on the foot.

 Belt- The belt was used to hold both the sword and dagger or carry the weight of the mail off the shoulders. Sometimes two belts were worn; one for the dagger, and one for the sword. The infantry belts were decorated with bronze and brass plates with designs embossed in them finished with silver plating.

Shield- The Roman soldiers carried a shield on their left side. But the shape and size of the shields used differed. The legionnaires used a curved shield, while the auxiliary troops have been known to use flat, oval, and rectangular shields. Shields were basically made from extremely thick plywood edged with copper alloy or iron, and the handles had a copper alloy covering.

Pilum- a short- range "shock" weapon used by the legionnaires. It was more of a heavy javelin. Its head was shaped as an iron pyramid on a long iron rod or shank, fastened to a wooden shaft. The head of a pilum is intended to penetrate body armor or a wooden shield. It was designed so that when the iron head made a hole in the armor or shield, the rod or shank would be able pass through the defense. Because the shank is so long it might bend after it has struck into something.

 Spear- Different kinds of spears were made; two- handed lances for armored cavalry, light spears to hit the front line infantry, and light javelins to break up skirmishes. Spear shafts were made of ash or hazel new grown trees; this would allow more flexibility. The spear also had a sharp butt on the end of the shaft, to allow the spear to be stuck into the ground. The spear could also serve as a secondary weapon if the shaft was broken off.

Sword- a double-edged, long pointed sword was adopted from Iberians in the 2^nd century BC; they called this the "Spanish sword". Different soldiers wore their swords differently; the infantry and Calvary wore them on their right, while the centurions wore them on their left. Calvary used a longer- narrower sword, which was later used also by the infantry. Replacing the "Spanish sword" and now being worn on the left side.

Dagger- The dagger was also adopted from the Iberians. They were carried in cases decorated with enamel covering and precious medals. Daggers eventually grew larger into the 2^nd century AD but still resembled the old Iberian daggers.

Scorpio- The Scorpio was similar to a crossbow; it fired an arrow by pulling a strap back and releasing it.

Ballista- The ballista is like a catapult it flung rocks over large walls, it also fired by pulling back a strap.

Onager- The Onager was the same as a Ballista only smaller. It flung medium- sized rocks the same way the ballista did.

Catapult- The catapult, the most well known of them all. It was used by coiling a spring and then releasing it, flinging rocks through the air. Not only rocks were used though, other things like flaming balls.

Artillery Information