* about / contact

* books & journals

	Fig. SP003 Centurion The centurion of the mid 1st Century AD was distinguished from the men he commanded in several ways. His sword was carried on his left. Attached to his helmet was a transverse crest of either horsehair or feathers. He wore greeves which could be plain or embossed with designs. He also usually carried a vine staff.
	Fig. AP007Standard Bearer The roman standards consisted of a sculptural symbol on a wooden pole. Those bearing these standards were marked by the animal pelts worn over their helmets. Wolf and bear pelts were common. It seems lion pelts were reserved for the Praetorians. Each legion had one aquilifer, (carried the Legion eagle), one imignifer, (carried an image of the emperor), and any number of lesser standard bearers for the various subdivisions of the legion.
	Legionary Infantryman This mid first century soldier wears a helmet of the Imperial Gallic type. His sword was worn on his right. He wears segmented armor which was in manufacture since the early 1st century AD. The legionary scutum (shield) was made of an early type of 3 plywood and was covered in painted felt, cloth or leather. For protection it was contained in a hide satchel when marching.
	Fig. AP004 Legionary Infantryman Late in the first century the romans began having serious trouble with Dacian tribes in what is know Romania. Many warriors from these tribes carried atremendous two-handed blade called a falx. This weapon was so destructive that certain modifications were made to the armor of the legions in combat with the Dacians. This image depiucts a legionary from Emperor Trajan's Dacian Wars. A segmented armor was in place to protect the sword-arm. Greeves were now worn on either the leading left leg or both legs. Finally, a cross-piece of iron was added to the top of the helmet.
	Fig. SP002Cornicen The roman legions gave signals with a blast from a type of trumpet called the cornu. It is believed that this trumpeting was used to alert the soldiers to look up at the standards for their commands. It probably had a high-pitched sound in order to be heard above the sounds of the battlefield. This cornicen armor is chain mail edged with hide.