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Gwaylar β Warriors 2 - Roman Legionairre
Published: 2011-11-10 17:47:46 +0000 UTC; Views: 6878; Favourites: 123; Downloads: 28
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Warriors Through Time - "Tullia" the LegionaryThe "fist" of the Roman Empire for nearly a thousand years, the legions that served the Republic and later the Emperor were some of the best trained soldiers in history for their ability to work in unison. Vigorously drilled and well outfitted for battle, the typical Roman soldier was also afforded a good diet (by comparison to other armies), well made equipment, and excellent health care. So much so that the average life span of a Roman legionnaire was 5 - 10 longer than a Roman citizen.
Tullia is a high ranking officer in the first to second century A.D. as told by her helmet with a back swept crest. Standard issue was the bread and butter (or wine and olives rather) of the Roman army. The body army (lorica segmenta), sword (gladius), javelin (pilum), dagger (pugio), and shield were all standard to every soldier yet the higher rank's equipment was much more elaborate as seen.
Fun Fact: Despite the location, whether they were in the scorching Nile River Valley to the chilly hills of North England the legions still wore the same clothing - a tunic (usually red), open toe sandals, and no pants (barbarians wore pants! pants bad!). Their barracks were also open air with little insulation.
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Comments: 47
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Actually..... when it comes to Roman equipment and dress, historians now think that the Romans varied their gear and equipment to better suit the environment at hand.Β While you are correct that Romans, in general, didn't like pants, as barbarians wore them, breeches became more common, especially by the time of the Jewish War of 66AD. (and personally, I think they were in use far earlier than that, as half of Julius Caesar's army from the Gaulic wars was raised in newly acquired provinces and the men there were first-generation Romans of Gaulic origin)Β While on post in northern climates, Romans would often wear long wool socks or some other sort of cold-weather gear, not just a cloak.Β The Romans were nothing if not practical, and would often incorporate designs for armor, weapons, clothing, and technology from other cultures.Β (The original Pilum and Scutum from the Etruscans, chainmail from the Gauls, the Gladius from Hispania, ship design from the Carthaginians, crucifixion from the Carthaginians, etc)Β
Where the idea of, "all Romans soldiers always wore the same kit," comes from is Trajan's column.Β Greek artists commissioned to create the artwork did not have access to soldiers in the field, and so used Praetorian Guardsmen as models.Β The problem, is that the Praetorian soldiers stationed in Italy wore a summertime kit designed for a Mediterranean climate, whereas the soldiers who fought in Dacia were serving in a colder, mountainous, environment.
This theory that Romans wore climate-modified uniforms is further supported by new evidence now shows that each Legion had its own unique shield design, and the "classic" motif associated with the Romans was used only by the Praetorian Guard and maybe a handful of Legions raised in Italy.Β Further, excavations of battlefields from the Dacian Wars show that Roman soldiers were using a mixture of different armored styles, (chainmail, scale mail, segmentata) and so the overall appearance of the Roman Legion is not as uniform as what was first thought.Β (Also, soldiers have been making alterations to their uniforms and equipment since time in memorial.Β If you want modern examples, look at any photographs of the US troops serving overseas and notice how each soldier carries their gear.Β The Battle of Fallujah is an excellent example, as so much footage exists of it.)
If you wish to read more about this subject, I highly recommend, "Legions of Rome: The Definitive History of Every Imperial Roman Legion," by Stephen Dando-Collins.Β That, and any other of his works are excellent reads.
BTW, nice illustration! I like Tullia, and am glad someone else had the idea of a character like her.Β Obviously, women didn't serve in the Legions, though they did at times serve in Auxiliary units, like when Pompley used Sythian tribesmen as cavalry. (The Amazons, by Adrienne Mayor.)Β Β I think Tullia would be a welcome addition to any D&D Adventure Party!
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Appreciate the suggestion and I actually have that book.Β I am aware of the discrepancies between climate, individual soldier's heritage, and changes in Roman fashion... I just didn't want to make a image description be so long no one wanted to read it.Β Also, the Dacian Wars which were recorded on Trajan's column took place in an area near the Black Sea which would put them in a temperate climate, so they could have made it without pants. The reign of Trajan also represents the Golden Age of Roman Empire and they would have wanted to remember it as being the best equipped as well but the lorica segmentata was fairly standard issue at the time though it did not last much beyond the next few emperors. Also, Trajan's column was not constructed to be much of an exact recollection of the war anyway - it was a propaganda piece and Trajan took special care to make sure he was depicted in every panel.
Thanks for the fav and comment.
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Well said! And always great to make the acquaintance of another student of ancient history. 
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Artist and Historian, that's a fun combination. I think you've achieved good amount of detail in these images and I enjoy the fact that you've set each warrior in a scene. I wonder if it would be beneficial for you to try to be a bit more heavy handed and push the contrast even further. I'm a bit light handed myself and while I've still progressed as an artist--my light handedness is something that makes my pieces less provocative.
I also wonder if you'd entertain using female facial references without make up. Make up tends to affect the way that light passes through the face. And as a result, it strips some of the beautiful shadow shapes apparent in the female face. I'm kind of learning this same lesson the hard way but am really finding that it's been helpful to my more recent art.
In any event, as an budding artist to another--great work. Keep doing what you do.
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The lightness has a lot to do with my scanner being a piece of junk and bleaching out a lot of the tones in the drawing.Β I try to compensate by altering the shadows and contrast but this ends up making some dark spots look really dark and others looking completely white.Β The actual drawings look quite different than the scanned image.
Tullia here has a bad case of jacked up shadows because the scanner was completely killing the background due to some of the darker spots in the foreground.Β I need to get another copy of Jasc Paintshop, I loved it's editing software for sketches.
Thanks for the input btw
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nice work but is she an officer? If so, I am not convinced she is wearing the proper armor..
Whatever, I do love your pic ans wish to see her and her all female legion in action on the battlefield !Β
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She is wearing the correct armor for an Optio. Any higher rank and she would have a solid breastplate with a cord or red sash tied around the mid section.
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thanks for the reply. I thought officers of roman legio were all wearing full brestplate and not lorica segmenta.
Do you plan to make more pics abor this character eg in battle action? That would be great!
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The only exceptions to wearing the breastplate were centurions and optios as they were closer to non-commissioned officers in today's military.Β Higher ranks were typically nobility so they would buy more lavishly decorated breastplates to show off.
I hadn't planned on doing any more on her but I might revisit it once I get these other ideas off my brain.
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many thanks for your reply and explanations.
I do wish you go back to your roman heroine as your art is very appreciated and the theme =women introduced in the male world of the roman army= is quite interesting.
all the best
KNΒ
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I am working on other character works at the moment but if I get the time this summer I might try to get her in a battle scene.
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Would be great.Β
Imagine a all women legio engaged in the ranks of Cleopatra's army.....Β
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question: there was womanΒ roman legioraries? sorry for my bad english
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There are no records of women joining the ranks of Roman legions and any that tried would have been quickly discovered since they bathed together in large bath houses.Β The auxiliary forces however could have easily contained women but again there are no specific records. Almost every army has had women that sneaked into the ranks; while some were secretive, others were welcome to join provided they had the needed skill.
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Wooow!!! Es preciosa, me encanta la "lorica segmentata" ademΓ‘s de la espada , me gustarΓa que tuviese puesto el casco y que llevase un escudo!!! Β
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Gracias. No lo hacemos todos? De hecho, tengo un traje completo de armadura romana en mi comedor.
Lo siento si la traducciΓ³n es mala, no es culpa de Google Translate.
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OOOOOH!!!!!!ΒΏTIENES UNA LORICA SEGMENTATA? DONDE LA HAS COMPRADO??????? XD
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Enjoy!
www.medievalcollectables.com/cβ¦
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Thanks! I going to buy it!!! ( if my parents allow )
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"and no pants (barbarians wore pants! pants bad!)."
But, centurion, in winter, we wear pants, still. And our auxilliaries from Gaul wear pants.
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True Italian legions didn't wear pants but germanic tribes recruited into the Roman army after 150 AD would still wear them as well as many auxiliaries. Β
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So Roman legionnaires (those born in Italy and Roman citizens) wouldn't wear pants, even in winter ?
That would be unhealthy chilly "down there", then, wouldn't it ? :-p
(Sorry if the questions bother you, but I don't know much about that part of their equipment.)
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Nope, no pants. Β To compensate for cold weather they would wear multiple tunics that could be fur lined or made of thick wool. Β Many would also wrap their legs in animal furs before putting on their (open toe) sandals or caligae. Β I can imagine being posted on Hadrian's Wall in the winter made life rather dismal and miserable.
No prob with the questions. I am actually a history professor at a college so I love it.
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I would not be so sure about that because the Romans weren't static in clothes and armament otherwise they would not flexible to conquer.
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Like I said, they would adapt to certain conditions but the main Italian legions stayed in the same style uniform which did not include pants.Β Romans were fluid in tactics when necessary and weaponry and armor certain changed over time but the tradition of the "uniform" did not change much as it was a call back to the bravery of Spartans which favored red clothing.
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Also I wonder if they would allow long hair in the legions because they were very strict but you wrote she was a higher class roman citizen so it is ok
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The hair was an artistic liberty since she is female.Β Not sure on regulation haircuts for legionnaires since Roman haircuts varied over the years as trends changed.Β Now I have to look that up.
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Open toe caligae ? In winter ?? On Hadrian's Wall ???
Oh dear ... :-S
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My pleasure! Awesome pic! Gets me excited for ROME 2 Total War coming out later this year!
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So do you possess any kind of historical source which can prove that women could enlist into Roman legions?
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None at all, nor could they be samurai or enlist in the Confederacy. It's just me having fun by making my warriors female. Rule 63 strikes again!
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I'm thinking more like a legate or venturian since her helmet crest is swept back
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This is an amazing drawing! I can say no other words about the high standard of artistic talent and historical accuracy put into it. Amazing!
BTW the Romans did wear pants but only if they were riding a horse or if they were in the most northern provinces of the empire. As John Green once said about pants, "When people choose between civilization and warm genitals, they pick warm genitals."
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Everything I have ever read said they would not wear pants because the Germanic tribes (barbarians) would. Though toward the late Empire period there were more conscripted natives of Europe in the army than Romans, so that would not surprise me if they did.
Your average Roman would not have looked on with approval, but such is life when the Huns are kicking your butt across Europe.
Thanks by the way. I try to research each soldier before the concept work starts.
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