... of a soldier's basic equipment was: · Steel or Bronze Pot Helmet (cassis) The standard model worn by most of the troops. However, junior officers (optiones) and centurions might wear protective headgear as highly decorated as they could afford to purchase. Most infantrymen used the stock issue helmet provided by the quartermaster's department. · Segmented Plate Cuirass and Body Armour Given the name lorica segmentata by modern historians, those form of steel plate armor was riveted together securely enough to withstand sword slashes yet with enough play between the plates that the Armour would flex when the legionary moved about. This type of Armour was much less expensive to fabricate than the fine chain mail that was more popular amongst the legions in the East. · Long Curved Rectangular Shield or scutum This item is probably one of the most variable of the equipment items carried by Roman legionaries throughout the ...

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