RomanArmyTalk

Hello,

I am familiar with the images and descriptions of Marius Mules, but can anyone tell me if the same sort of marching kit was used in the Imperial Period?

If that technique was still used in the Imperial Period are there any decent illustrations or photographs (of reenactors) that show an Imperial Legionary in marching order?

Thank you!

Brian

Absolutely.

Go to the Legio IX HSPA website for some great photos of Legio IX members in march order with details on their equipment and comments on marching with a complete sarcina.

http://www.legio-ix-hispana.org/2003trek.html

Cheers,

Calvus

Actually, the only (surviving) Roman depiction of the marching gear is on Trajan's Column, early 2nd century AD. And Josephus gives a good description, c. 70 AD. They don't answer all the questions, of course, but they don't seem to contradict the earlier descriptions.

Valete,

Matthew

What's the other option for carrying your equipment before the invention of the rucksack? If the later depictions show that arrangement, surely anything before that would have been even more uncomfortable?

Thank you very much for the suggestions. That is exacty what I was looking for!

Brian