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Basic kit for 5th century infantry?
#17
Regarding the Late Roman Army during the reign of the emperor Majorian (451-461 A.D.), here is another consideration- Although the army probably looked essentially like it did during the hundred years or so period that preceded his reign , the army would have been much more cavalry dominate and centric than before. As for infantry, there probably would have been much more emphasis on light infantry as opposed to heavy infantry, as many of the Roman infantrymen after the Battle of Andrianople (378 A.D.) would have been more resistant to the idea of wearing heavy battle kits (lorica hamatas, stangenhelms, and greaves). We can surmise this from the writings of Flavius Vegetius Renatus (The Military Institutions of the Romans). More likely, the typical Roman infantryman of Majorian’s day would have worn a tunic, Pannonian cap, trousers, and no heavy armor. That Late Roman infantry soldier would have relied on his shield for protection and plumbatae, Spiculum, and Spatha for personal weaponry.
Marcellus Valerius Gothicus (aka Dave Dietrich)
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Re: Basic kit for 5th century infantry? - by MarcellusCCLXXV - 12-16-2009, 10:38 PM

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