LEGIONARIUS OF THE MID 2ND CENTURY A.D.

An extract from The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome
by Phil Barker & Ian Heath



6.      LEGIONARIUS OF THE MID 2ND CENTURY A.D.

This man has a developed version of the Lorica Segmentata with simpler and stronger fastenings, warn over an undergarment with leather Pteruges. Auxiliary pattern breeches had been increasingly used on a semiofficial basis in inclement conditions over the previous hundred years, and now became standard at all times. They are often stated to have been of leather, but I know of no direct evidence for this, and wool seems more likely.

His helmet is of Imperial-Italic type, and could be of iron, bronze or iron with bronze reinforcements. It has a hanging loop on the neck guard. Crests were now often worn in battle.

The shield has now reverted to oval in outline, but retains the lateral curvature, though not quite to the same extent as previous models Praetorians were issued with it somewhat earlier, and can be seen carrying it in equipment otherwise very similar to No. 4.

The sword has now moved officially to the left.




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