11/9/2023 0 Comments Roman centurion armor coolHe would then kneel behind the shield and fight from behind it.” (4) In battle, “when a legionary charged with the shield, he would…run towards the enemy with full force in an attempt to knock his foe over. (3) Of particular interest is the shield, one of the most important assets in a Roman soldier’s arsenal. For example, “the armor of the Roman army…was mainly comprised of a shield, the scutum, and body armor that varied depending on rank and position, consisting of a breastplate and one greave, on the left leg.” (2)Īdditionally, a Roman soldier would possess a helmet (depending on rank) and a sword known as the gladius. Paul’s description of armor shares many similarities with the military gear that a Roman soldier would have worn. Roman military gear would have been readily visible and fresh in the minds of Paul’s audience. While writing his passage about the “armor of God,” Paul is writing to an audience that is well aware of the battle array of Roman soldiers.Įphesus was known as a “leading city of the richest region of the Roman Empire” and “served as the administrative and commercial hub of Asia Minor.” (1) In addition to being an important city of the Roman Empire, Ephesus also hosted various gladiatorial fights in its stadium constructed during the reign of Nero. The imagery Paul uses might remind someone of a great Roman centurion, poised and ready for battle. Paul is most likely referring to God’s armor that was mentioned in the Old Testament, he also knew the audience he was writing to and gave them images that they could visualize.Īfter illustrating the importance of divine armor that every Christian must put on, Paul becomes specific and makes a list of what this armor consists. Paul references and compare it to a Roman centurion’s armor. Ordinary soldiers wore a sagum instead of a paludamentum.As we continue to delve deeper into our series on the Armor of Godas featured in Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, this week we start to examine the specific pieces of armor that St. The paludamentum, a cloak or cape fastened at one shoulder, worn by military commanders and (less often) by their troops.The loculus, a satchel, carried by legionaries as a part of their sarcina (marching pack).The focale, a scarf worn by the Roman legionary to protect the neck from chafing caused by constant contact with the soldier's armor.Caligae, heavy-soled military shoes or sandals which were worn by Roman legionary soldiers and auxiliaries throughout the history of the Roman Republic and Empire.Braccae (trousers), popular among Roman legionaries stationed in cooler climates to the north of southern Italy.It was probably used to tuck clothing into or to hold weapons. The balteus, the standard belt worn by the Roman legionary.The baldric, a belt worn over one shoulder that is typically used to carry a weapon (usually a sword) or other implement such as a bugle or drum.Lorica plumata (a form of scale armour resembling feathers).Variant forms included the Coolus helmet, Montefortino helmet, and Imperial helmet. The centurions, who made up the officer ranks, had decorations on their chest plates corresponding to modern medals, and the long cudgels that they carried.Įxamples of items of Roman military personal armour included: Senior commanders are known to have worn white cloaks and plumes. įragments of surviving clothing and wall paintings indicate that the basic tunic of the Roman soldier was of red or undyed (off-white) wool. Even the armour produced in state factories varied according to the province of origin. However the lack of unified production for the Roman army meant that there were still considerable differences in detail. The legions of the Roman Republic and Empire had a fairly standardised dress and armour, particularly from approximately the early to mid 1st century onward, when Lorica Segmentata (segmented armour) was introduced. Dress of Roman military units Ancient Times, Roman.
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