Classic Roman Red Uniforms |
Roman and Byzantine Uniforms
- What we know about Roman and then Eastern Roman uniforms is minimal and perhaps mostly wrong. As for the use of the color "red", it may not have been used too much more than other colors.
- If red was a dominant color in a united Roman Army I doubt that it continued too long once the East broke off from Rome. Over time an independent East would have started to establish its own military traditions.
Hollywood costume departments have perhaps poisoned our history. The "classic" red Roman uniform used in so many movies may have never existed. Instead the "uniforms" might have been mix of whatever happened to be available.
We have more evidence about uniforms for the purely Roman period, still even that is limited.
But on January 17, 395 Theodosius I (r. 379-95), the last Emperor of a united Roman Empire died. The day before on January 16th, Emperor Theodosius commanded Roman troops stationed from Mesopotamia to Morocco to England to Bulgaria. But at some point on the 17th a sole commander-in-chief of the Roman military machine died.
The death of the Emperor led to the final split of the Empire into two political entities, the West (Occidentale) and the East (Orientale).
For many decades to come the Eastern Roman Army would not have looked or acted much different from its Western counterpart. Any changes in uniforms, unit structure and tactics would have been very gradual.
The early American Republic shows how rapidly uniforms can change. Between 1776 and World War I the U.S. Army had six distinct uniform styles - Revolution, 1812, Mexican War, Civil War-Indian Wars, Spanish-Philippine Wars and the WWI.
If American uniforms could change so rapidly in basically a 150 year period, the possible changes in Roman and Byzantine uniforms over centuries could be considerable and perhaps mostly undocumented.
Where the color red fit in is anybody's guess.
Military of the Roman Republic and Empire wore loosely regulated dress and armor. The contemporary concept of uniforms was not part of Roman culture and there were considerable differences in detail. Armor was not standardized and even that produced in state factories varied according to the province of origin.
Likewise the Romans had no concept of obsolescence. Provided it remained serviceable, soldiers were free to use armor handed down by family members, buy armor from soldiers who had completed their service or wear discontinued styles of armor if they preferred it to (or could not afford) the latest issue. Thus it was common for legions to wear a mix of various styles that could cover a considerable time period.
Fragments of surviving clothing and wall paintings indicate that the basic tunic of the Roman soldier was of red or undyed off-white wool.
Senior commanders are known to have worn white cloaks and plumes. The centurions who made up the long serving backbone of the legions were distinguished by transverse crests on their helmets, chest ornaments corresponding to modern medals and the long cudgels that they carried.
(From Imperium Romanum) - In films, historical reconstructions and illustrations, Roman legionaries are dressed in red tunics. But in reality, did the ancient Romans in the army have a unified dress, which was mainly made up of red?
At the beginning, it should be noted what was symbolized by the red color. In the Romans’ sense, it was the color and symbol of Mars – the god of war and the mythological father of twins Romulus and Remus. Thus, red was of great importance in the public sphere of the Romans, who considered themselves a warlike people, coming directly from Mars.
On the battlefield the red tunic worn under the armor represented blood and strength. Certainly, the compact line of Roman infantry, dressed in red, had a psychological impact on the enemy army, which perceived it as strong and valiant.
Fresco from the Doctor’s House in Pompeii showing three Roman soldiers: two in white tunics and one in red tunic. |
We do not have any hard evidence that the legionaries were wearing only red (as we commonly see). You need to know that the soldiers themselves took care of their wardrobe and often, for example, received parcels from their families, including with tunics. Thus, they certainly had more than one. What’s more, there was no requirement for unified weapons and clothing. And yes, soldiers had different types of armor (depending on what they could afford) and different colors of tunics.
It also happened that the generals confiscated the fabrics in a given area and assigned them to the attire for soldiers. There was no top-down command to use only red. In addition, one should also take into account the fact that there were various access to individual dyes at different latitudes. The cheap color in Egypt did not necessarily have to cost as much as Britain.
The price itself was also a big barrier. Legionnaires did not earn much money, and the tunic during service was easy to get dirty and destroyed. Probably the tunic was losing its color after many washes, and gray-bure colors predominated. It is certain that tunic in natural colors was worn, i.e. from white, through shades of gray, browns to black. During the ceremony, specially prepared snow-white tunics were set up.
The proof that the soldiers were serving in various colors of tunics is a fresco from one of the houses in Pompeii. We can see there two legionaries in white tunics, and one in red clothes.
It can certainly be said, however, that red was the most popular because of the cheapness of its production. White and dark colors (i.e. dark brown) probably predominated. Among the higher command of the legion appeared more expensive – “red scarlet”. The most expensive purple, in turn, was reserved for generals, and later only for emperors.
When it comes to Roman soldiers and rowers serving in the sea fleet, we know that they had blue tunics thanks to a Vegetius (writer from the 4th century CE).
Late Roman Reenactors All colors are represented |
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6 comments:
colours
even the british in america wars wear red til the WWI i think
in the bóer war before wwi i reckon red too
red was nit a good choice
in those times of close quarter fights , it mend to be a courageos color , in it the blood cannot be seen … thats the motive
but them came de rifle , and the long range rifle
the last ones red pant trousers zouaves , that a heavy tool and germans aim on those red ones … or before the brits suffer in the madhi , and bóer wars .
i mean
red was NOT a good choice
i was nit only for oposite sharp shooters
Good point
wearing red colours also mend to be boldish for romans as they face bow and arrow extreme acurate tribesmen and women as in britain boudica wars
neverdeless they engage in formations to skip those
"colours
even the british in america wars wear red til the WWI i think
in the bóer war before wwi i reckon red too"
It was a transition. Britain began to introduce khaki in the earlier 19th century and it became increasingly common in colonial wars until it was finally adopted into all regiments come the Boer war. By ww1 british soldiers had entirely abandoned red as most countries had abandoned such bright colours though at the start of the war the French were still wearing very bright blue and red trousers they adapted.
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