Roman colours

[valiant]

Hi guys,

I hope that there may be someone who can shed some light onto a project Im working on, please?

Having never painted a Roman, ever, I recently acquired one of the Miniart 1/16 versions. I am at a stage now for painting, but have little or no reference to tunic/shield colours. The instructions say blue, but most of the pics on the net are red. Does the tunic have to be the same as the shield?

As all I know about Romans can be written on a stamp, can anyone help, please?! Thanks,

Steve

 

[Blind Pew]

I thought blue/dark purple were the colours solely reserved for the Praetorian Guard. I am no expert, but a think that reds are accurate along with undyed woollen-type colours. I hope this helps........

 

[DaddyO]

Hi Steve

Chatting to some of the history buffs and Roman re-enactors at the Ancient Technology centre was a real eye opener with regard to Romans.
I'd always assumed that the tunics were red because all the pictures that I'd seen showed a red tunic, but apparently other colours were common and off white or cream was probably more common for your rank and file soldier (Natural wool colour was cheaper to produce) Depends on the period of the figure because the empire lasted for a flippin' long time and also how far from the gaze of the empire I suspect . . .
Other interesting snippet was the use of trained troops that were able to treat wounds in the battle. These were legionaries who had a small kit of tools and basic skills that would deal with wounds within their group rather than send the soldier back to the surgeons. (Tools included such nifty implements such as a special dodad for removing arrow heads)
Due to the Romans obsession with cleanliness you were also less likely to die from wound infection that during the 19th century when surgery was similar in terms of treatment (broadly speaking). The Romans would wash their hands between patients and rather than stitch up wounds they would plug the wound with honey soaked linen which would be removed after a day or so and replaced with fresh so that the wound healed from the inside outwards.

Let me know what date the figure is and I'll sort out some pics for you

Paul

 

[valiant]

Cheers Paul - according to the box, its 2nd Century, AD - so it gives me 100 years or so to play with!!

 

[Mirofsoft]

for you

 

[MCPWilk]

Legionaries probably wore undyed woollen/linen tunics, which would have been off white, naval troops probably blue, centurions probably red and senior officers probably white with a purple stripe. Sources are conflicting. Shields are often depicted as red or black, blue for naval forces, but againg this is conjectural. There are plenty of references available from Osprey Men-at Arms books and a number of re-enactment groups that take their research very seriously and have very informative web sites (http://www.photographers-resource.co.uk/a_heritage/Roman/Re-enactments_Roman_Britain.htm, http://www.romanarmy.net/howto.shtml, www.theantonineguard.org.uk etc.)

Happy modelling,

Mike

 

[valiant]

Thanks guys - much appreciated

 

[DaddyO]

Here are a couple of slightly dodgy photo's for you Steve shewing a few options.

Personally I'd go for linen coloured tunic with a blue shield, but of course red was popular for tunics and well preserved samples of cloth have been found. The dye used was probably Alizarin which would have been available, and is a strong colour. It's been conjectured that white tunics were kept for 'best' because with rust and grease from armour it would have been very difficult to keep clean and red would have been used by serving troops in the field - My own thinking is if the Roman army could get away without having to dye cloth for soldiers serving far from home they would.

Have fun anyway coz we'll never know for sure . . .
Paul

 

[valiant]

Cheers Paul - I suppose its like many other subjects, a "best guess" approach - I can live with that!

Thanks again,

Steve

 

[Red Five]

We have reference, for example Josephus that tunics were for parade white, however most probably a madder or brick red and in the case of marine regiments blue. S paper was written that tunics were white but it was very flawed. You would not find a legionary in yellow ( a woman's colour) and red was considered that if a warrior. Purple is another no no as theirs was reserved for the imperial family at least in the early empire.

Poor legionaries would have brass or steel fittings, further up the command chain all would be silver or silver plated with some gold. Romans liked bright colours and showed off their wealth.

I used to rummage around in museum back rooms by the way.

 

[oldtrousers]

The information available concerning Roman military colors is constantly evolving with new research. Red Five's comments about white or off white tunics for parade and madder or brick red for service are the most up to date findings depending on the source. Of course, all of this is conjectural, and not even 15 years ago everyone was convinced that all Roman soldiers wore only undyed or white tunics and red was rarely worn. If your really interested in further research, I would recommend picking up Graham Sumner's "Roman Military Dress" book.

Scott

 

[valiant]

Thanks again for the info, chaps. I am veering towards the brick red choice, I think. Its not a bad colour for shading and will look good with the metals.....

 

[Helm]

I thought they had Eagles not colours?

 

[valiant]

 

[Red Five]

I have a picture of me somewhere in a rather nice madder red tunic with a Felix Vere late second century belt I made from silver plated brass with appropriate sword and silvered fittings. The ring Mail tunic took ages as it was 4mm ID share rings and round wire washers.


Oh the joys of lost wax casting!

 

[theBaron]

I thought they had Eagles not colours?

Ba-dum, ching!!!!