200mm Roman Centurion: I have modelled the classic appearance of a centurion wearing a mail shirt with shoulder cape over a leather coat with tasselled pteruges. Phalerae (medals) are worn on a harness over the mail. The gladius is on the left hip and the pugio on the right. Greaves are worn over ankle boots.
The two helmets are the Coolus type F and the Imperial Italic type H (Neidermormter), often known as the 'mouse helmet' due to the decoration on the crown. The former is thought to have been worn from the late republic until about 100 A.D., and the latter in the mid to late 2nd century. The cristus transversus is thought to be the typical mark of a centurion and on the Coolus was fixed onto the spike on top of the helmet and on the Italic type H the supporting strut locked onto the top of the helmet with a key type mechanism.
The curved shield was probably carried through the first century and the oval may have been carried in the second. From what I can make out there were about six different shield designs in use at any one time. A vine stick was also always the mark of a centurion.
It is worth remembering that all equipment was manufactured (manus = a hand, facere = to make) in workshops, and so the uniformity seen by a modern regiment on parade would not be seen by a legion on parade. Equipment would have been repaired and recycled as well as taken from the vanquished on the battlefield. We have some idea of shield designs, but the colour of the shields and tunics (red and undyed linen are most likely) are relatively unknown.
Happy modelling,
Mike
The two helmets are the Coolus type F and the Imperial Italic type H (Neidermormter), often known as the 'mouse helmet' due to the decoration on the crown. The former is thought to have been worn from the late republic until about 100 A.D., and the latter in the mid to late 2nd century. The cristus transversus is thought to be the typical mark of a centurion and on the Coolus was fixed onto the spike on top of the helmet and on the Italic type H the supporting strut locked onto the top of the helmet with a key type mechanism.
The curved shield was probably carried through the first century and the oval may have been carried in the second. From what I can make out there were about six different shield designs in use at any one time. A vine stick was also always the mark of a centurion.
It is worth remembering that all equipment was manufactured (manus = a hand, facere = to make) in workshops, and so the uniformity seen by a modern regiment on parade would not be seen by a legion on parade. Equipment would have been repaired and recycled as well as taken from the vanquished on the battlefield. We have some idea of shield designs, but the colour of the shields and tunics (red and undyed linen are most likely) are relatively unknown.
Happy modelling,
Mike
