HermanwskiWeaponsandSuppliesofaRomanSoldier

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 * __ Weapons and Supplies of a Roman soldier  __**
 * Ancient Roman soldiers are much like current soldiers all over the world! The equipment that the soldiers carried gave them an advantage over their enemies. The weapons the soldiers used in the beginning of the Roman Empire were numerous. There were three main weapons though. They were: A Gladius, which was a short sword used for stabbing. A Pilum, which was a long iron staff used for throwing; also a there was a large rectangular shield to cover their entire bodies **
 * Later on, all soldiers wore uniforms and looked the same. They wore chainmail, scale armor and segmented armor. Chain mail offered the soldiers the most protection during a battle. They wore a kilt made of leather, strips to protect their legs and military sandals to protect their feet, later on they wore boots; they also wore a helmet and a heavy cape. They used three different tools, including the breastplate, for frontal attacks, a helmet, for hits to the head, and the Scutum which was a shield used when attacked by the enemy close by. Offense tools were the Javelin and the Gladius. Javelins bent once they were in the body of the enemy so it couldn’t be re-used. **
 * Every soldier carried tools for digging, a cooking pot, rations, and personal possessions. All together the soldiers carried about 93 pounds of supplies, weapons and, tools. The soldiers carried their own camping and sleeping equipment for up to 20 miles a day so they had to be strong. The soldiers did not only fight enemies, but they also helped with building projects such as roads and Hadrian’s Wall. The food that the soldiers carried included a three day supplies of bacon, cheese, wheat for making biscuits and bread and sour wine (which is also referred to as vinegar). **
 * Today we still use many of the same supplies that the ancient Romans wore like helmets. Today instead of wearing chainmail we use something much like it called body armor, and police officers also wear it too. Also they still carry knives and are still expected to carry rations of food. **

A soldier back in roman timesInfantry soldier today