Equipment of the Romans

[Araujo]

The Romans were never a "military independent people". Because their soldiers were never created by themselves, for that would be very bad: the Romans were just peasants, not regular soldiers as we think they were. Those guys could only see other people, not themselves, you know? Look: their great shields, that caused so many victories, were not created by them, but by their neighbours, the Samnites. Their helms were imported from the Etruscans or Greeks, and the pilum, well, it already existed, anyway. The gladius was samnite, the armour was greek, everything in their legions, before marius, was not roman. They were peasants, not soldiers.

[jvrjenivs]

You are right stating that most of the armor was copied from others, but their excellent combination of different items was theirs.

Also I wouldn't say the early roman army was built of soldiers, as they were only fighting in the season, and went back to their homes in the rest of the year, to have all things done there.

[Tarbicus]

yadda yadda yadda.... They were peasants, not soldiers.

Bollocks. :wink:

They were the most successful military state in the Mediterranean, and regardless of where the equipment originated they put it all to far better use than their opponents. It's not just the tools, it's as much the mind that counts.

[caiusbeerquitius]

Is there a certain meaning in this thread?
No.

Closed.

[Magnus]

lol