05-31-2007, 05:38 PM
Don't forget many of the legionaries would have started out reasonably fit as they came from farming stock, in the main.
Diet probably depended upon if they were in barracks or on the march.
On the march dried foods would be in order grain, hardtack, cheese dried meats and sausages, plus whatever could be foraged (given time, season and environment). The hardtack could certainly be made into a porridge and grain could produce an unleavened bread (lagana - see Sally Grainger's books for recipe).
In Barracks Leavened breads, fresher foodstuffs and probably a plethora of other goodies from the local Vicus would be available to supplement the basic grain rations. Of course legionaries would have to pay for these themselves and so would probably prefer to save their money for beer and women. Traditionally brewed beer probably provided most of the vitamins minerals and carbohydrates (plus some protein) that a growing Tiro would need. :wink:
As for the marches; a standard march was 20 Roman miles in 5 hours or a forced march of 24 Roman miles in 5 hours. :? So, Paullus, your calculation sounds as though it refers to the standard march.
Don't forget of course this was all done in full battle kit and carrying impedimenta.
Diet probably depended upon if they were in barracks or on the march.
On the march dried foods would be in order grain, hardtack, cheese dried meats and sausages, plus whatever could be foraged (given time, season and environment). The hardtack could certainly be made into a porridge and grain could produce an unleavened bread (lagana - see Sally Grainger's books for recipe).
In Barracks Leavened breads, fresher foodstuffs and probably a plethora of other goodies from the local Vicus would be available to supplement the basic grain rations. Of course legionaries would have to pay for these themselves and so would probably prefer to save their money for beer and women. Traditionally brewed beer probably provided most of the vitamins minerals and carbohydrates (plus some protein) that a growing Tiro would need. :wink:
As for the marches; a standard march was 20 Roman miles in 5 hours or a forced march of 24 Roman miles in 5 hours. :? So, Paullus, your calculation sounds as though it refers to the standard march.
Don't forget of course this was all done in full battle kit and carrying impedimenta.
Mark Downes/Mummius
Cent Gittus, COH X. LEG XX. VV. Deva Victrix
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"Don\'\'\'\'t threaten me with a dead fish!" - Withnail
Cent Gittus, COH X. LEG XX. VV. Deva Victrix
____________________________________________
"Don\'\'\'\'t threaten me with a dead fish!" - Withnail
