Roman Army

     The legion constituted the basic unit of the Roman army. Each legion consisted of 10 cohorts that were sub-divided into six centuries, containing around 80 men each. A century consisted of 10 contubernia, groups of eight legionnaires who shared the same tent. Each century was commanded by a centurion, who received his orders from the tribunes. Each legion, which also included four turmae of cavalry (120 men), was commanded by a legate, who usually belonged to the senatorial class.

     The centurions were legionnaires who had distinguished themselves by their valor and were given command by the tribunes. The centurions were given various decorations in the form of armillae and falere. Armillae were similar to bracelets, and falere were embossed metal disks worn on the breastplate.

     A Roman legionnaire had his shoulders and chest covered by the lorica, and his head and neck were covered by a helmet. His armor consisted of a broad shield, a gladium (sword) and a javelin (spear) . Lorica segmentata is a breastplate that allowes great agility of movement and was worn by legionnaires from the 1st century A.D.

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