Guide For Legionaries of the Thirteenth
Guide for Auxiliaries found at the bottom.
(Updated Oct. 7, MMXVI)
The time period which the legion represents is understood to be 58BC – 14AD, the year Legio XIII was raised through the lifetime of Octavian, later “Augustus”, the first Roman emperor.
The basics of the Roman legionary are as follows. Those looking to join Legio XIII must strive to meet these standards and ask any questions before buying or making anything. Wherever possible, an item number--usually Deepeeka--has been provided to help new legionaries shop for the right item.
A enormous debt is owed by the entire American ancient reenactment community to Matt Amt of Legio XX, whose work as principal founder of Roman reenactment in the United States has been a benefit to all of us.
In fact, here is a link to the Handbook For Legionaries
Tunica - red wool for our legionaries. Essentially a rectangle about four feet long and three and a half to four feet wide. Tunicae were worn very baggy, typically sleeveless or with short sleeves. The width, being what it is, creates a sleeve-like effect when worn. A small cloth or rope belt is worn at the waist to cinch it and lend form. Most of our tunicae are about 42" x 45". Multiple tuncae would be worn for cooler weather, some even with long sleeves. Recommend Wm. Booth, Draper - 100% wool red broadcloth WWB 881
Civilians should consider white and other natural colors. Clavi (vertical stripes) were also popular. Avoid the colors purple and black, however, as the former was reserved for equestrians and senators and the latter was for mourning. Legionaries of the Thirteenth and Auxiliaries will not wear clavi on their military tuncae.
Focale - green linen or wool scarves have been adopted by all members of Legio XIII. These are to protect the neck from chaffing by the armor. A simple knot or tuck suffices to close these.
Caligae - hobnailed, hard-wearing sandal-boots. The ancients did not have heels or arch supports in their shoes at the time, so it can take some getting used to for the modern wearer. Udones, or socks, were made from either sewn pieces of wool or naalbinded, a type of knitting which used only a single needle. An enclosed type of shoe, calcei, was popular in cooler climates as well.
Sagum - a natural colored wool blanket with fibula makes a good cloak. Avoid black, purple; unnatural colors are not allowed.
Armor - since Legio XIII Gemina is an Augustan unit, lorica hamata (chain mail) is the default armor. The earliest type of lorica segmentata (segmented armor), the "Kalkreise" segmentata found in Germany, does have a very late Augustan provenance, but this was not very common. Therefore Lorica Segmentata is not permitted for use in the Thirteenth. Lorica hamata should be made up of riveted rings with an inner diameter of 8mm to 5mm. Butted steel is okay as a starter item, but all legionaries should aspire to getting the riveted mail as it is more authentic, stronger, and lighter weight. Legionaries will have a shoulder "doubler" which is closed by a double-hook on the chest. Mail should extend to about mid-thigh. If you already have lorica segmentata and want to join, you may go without armor initially but must obtain a set of lorica hamata as soon as possible. If you have a set of lorica squamata (scale armor), that is acceptable on a case by case basis.
Balteus - Augustan legionaries, like all other legionaries, had a leather belt worn over their armor around the waist. Augustan belts may be plain or may be decorated with brass, tinned, or bronze plates. An apron of dangling belts is to be avoided as these seem to hail from a slightly later era. The sword scabbard is attached to the waistbelt and is worn on the right-hand side. An optional pugio (dagger) may be worn on the left side, or on a second belt, but this is not required.
Scutum - shields were made of layered wood (plywood) and had curved sides. A steel umbo will serve you best. Our legionary shields are rimmed with leather and painted to our legion pattern.
Pilum - a throwing javelin. Every legionary should have one for display. Demonstration javelins, made of inexpensive stuff which won't cause your eyes to tear when they inevitably get damaged, are a good option for preserving your good pila.
(Updated Oct. 7, MMXVI)
The time period which the legion represents is understood to be 58BC – 14AD, the year Legio XIII was raised through the lifetime of Octavian, later “Augustus”, the first Roman emperor.
The basics of the Roman legionary are as follows. Those looking to join Legio XIII must strive to meet these standards and ask any questions before buying or making anything. Wherever possible, an item number--usually Deepeeka--has been provided to help new legionaries shop for the right item.
A enormous debt is owed by the entire American ancient reenactment community to Matt Amt of Legio XX, whose work as principal founder of Roman reenactment in the United States has been a benefit to all of us.
In fact, here is a link to the Handbook For Legionaries
Tunica - red wool for our legionaries. Essentially a rectangle about four feet long and three and a half to four feet wide. Tunicae were worn very baggy, typically sleeveless or with short sleeves. The width, being what it is, creates a sleeve-like effect when worn. A small cloth or rope belt is worn at the waist to cinch it and lend form. Most of our tunicae are about 42" x 45". Multiple tuncae would be worn for cooler weather, some even with long sleeves. Recommend Wm. Booth, Draper - 100% wool red broadcloth WWB 881
Civilians should consider white and other natural colors. Clavi (vertical stripes) were also popular. Avoid the colors purple and black, however, as the former was reserved for equestrians and senators and the latter was for mourning. Legionaries of the Thirteenth and Auxiliaries will not wear clavi on their military tuncae.
Focale - green linen or wool scarves have been adopted by all members of Legio XIII. These are to protect the neck from chaffing by the armor. A simple knot or tuck suffices to close these.
Caligae - hobnailed, hard-wearing sandal-boots. The ancients did not have heels or arch supports in their shoes at the time, so it can take some getting used to for the modern wearer. Udones, or socks, were made from either sewn pieces of wool or naalbinded, a type of knitting which used only a single needle. An enclosed type of shoe, calcei, was popular in cooler climates as well.
Sagum - a natural colored wool blanket with fibula makes a good cloak. Avoid black, purple; unnatural colors are not allowed.
Armor - since Legio XIII Gemina is an Augustan unit, lorica hamata (chain mail) is the default armor. The earliest type of lorica segmentata (segmented armor), the "Kalkreise" segmentata found in Germany, does have a very late Augustan provenance, but this was not very common. Therefore Lorica Segmentata is not permitted for use in the Thirteenth. Lorica hamata should be made up of riveted rings with an inner diameter of 8mm to 5mm. Butted steel is okay as a starter item, but all legionaries should aspire to getting the riveted mail as it is more authentic, stronger, and lighter weight. Legionaries will have a shoulder "doubler" which is closed by a double-hook on the chest. Mail should extend to about mid-thigh. If you already have lorica segmentata and want to join, you may go without armor initially but must obtain a set of lorica hamata as soon as possible. If you have a set of lorica squamata (scale armor), that is acceptable on a case by case basis.
Balteus - Augustan legionaries, like all other legionaries, had a leather belt worn over their armor around the waist. Augustan belts may be plain or may be decorated with brass, tinned, or bronze plates. An apron of dangling belts is to be avoided as these seem to hail from a slightly later era. The sword scabbard is attached to the waistbelt and is worn on the right-hand side. An optional pugio (dagger) may be worn on the left side, or on a second belt, but this is not required.
Scutum - shields were made of layered wood (plywood) and had curved sides. A steel umbo will serve you best. Our legionary shields are rimmed with leather and painted to our legion pattern.
Pilum - a throwing javelin. Every legionary should have one for display. Demonstration javelins, made of inexpensive stuff which won't cause your eyes to tear when they inevitably get damaged, are a good option for preserving your good pila.
Helmet - acceptable helmets for Legio XIII are: Montefortino AH6050N, "Mannheim" Coolus, Coolus C [shown left] AH6055N, Coolus D AH6316N, Coolus E AH6051N, Italic A, Italic B AH6317N, & Gallic A AH6306N
In the case of brass helmets, bronze is a preferable option if possible, but not a requirement. Legionaries may tin their helmets if they wish.
Sword - for the Augustan era, absolutely legionaries should acquire a "Mainz" style gladius. Avoid the Pompeii style straight blades harken to a post-Augustan era, so without a doubt, a Mainz style, which is broader-bladed and more tapered, is the sword of choice.
To the left is the Deepeeka Gladius of Mainz Gladius AH2005. The Deepeeka Gladius of Mainz AH4209 is also good and has an embossed scabbard.
Wooden practice swords should also be a part of every soldiers' kit for demonstrations.
To the left is the Deepeeka Gladius of Mainz Gladius AH2005. The Deepeeka Gladius of Mainz AH4209 is also good and has an embossed scabbard.
Wooden practice swords should also be a part of every soldiers' kit for demonstrations.
Sword - an aesthetically simpler option, another early style is what Deepeeka calls their Caesarean sword. It is a Hispaniensis style blade and totally acceptable for the legion. A bone or wood handle is available and can be decorated in a period-appropriate manner as the legionary might see fit. Julius Caesar encouraged his men to invest in their kits, so no two soldiers would have looked identical.
To the left is the Deepeeka Caesarean Gladius with bone handle AH4228. The wood handled version is AH4229 and has a more elaborate scabbard.
To the left is the Deepeeka Caesarean Gladius with bone handle AH4228. The wood handled version is AH4229 and has a more elaborate scabbard.
Guide for Cohors I Raetia - Auxiliary Infantry
For non-citizens who served the republic and later empire, auxiliaries made up an enormous part of the Roman army. Auxiliary soldiers came in many forms, but we have created this guide for reenactors interested in portraying either slingers or spearmen attached to Legion XIII. Authenticity is not to be compromised for auxiliary troops, but there can be more variation within an auxiliary unit.
Tunica - Same as for legionaries but green. Recommend Wm. Booth, Draper - 100% wool green broadcloth WWB 187
Footwear - Either caligae or calcei, as for legionaries, or more "barbarian" style shoes.
Balteus - Leather belt worn over their armor (if there is armor) around the waist. As above, may be plain or may be decorated with brass, tinned, or bronze plates. An apron of dangling belts is to be avoided. Heavier auxiliaries like hastati (spearmen) should endeavor to acquire a Mainz style or earlier model sword. Like the legionaries, the sword scabbard is attached to the waistbelt and is worn on the right-hand side. Auxiliaries are seldom depicted carrying a pugio and so these should be highly limited, if at all.
Helmet - acceptable helmets are Montefortino AH6050N, "Mannheim" Coolus, Coolus C AH6055N, Coolus D AH6316N, & Gallic A AH6306N. In the case of brass helmets, bronze is a preferable option if possible, but not a requirement. Auxiliaries may tin their helmets if they wish.
Armor - lorica hamata or lorica squamata. Skirmishers like slingers might go without armor. In the case of hamata, riveted armor is always preferable to butted.
Hasta - if a spearman, a simple iron spearhead about 8" - 12" on a hardwood shaft 5' - 6' long. A buttspike may be a simple triangular piece of iron which would help keep it stuck into the ground or, more tactically, stuck through a wounded enemy on the ground.
Sling - if a slinger, a sling as per appropriate construction with "split" or a leather basket to hold a projectile (stone, lead "bullet", etc.)
Sagum - a natural colored wool blanket with fibula makes a good cloak. Avoid black, purple; unnatural colors are not allowed.
Tunica - Same as for legionaries but green. Recommend Wm. Booth, Draper - 100% wool green broadcloth WWB 187
Footwear - Either caligae or calcei, as for legionaries, or more "barbarian" style shoes.
Balteus - Leather belt worn over their armor (if there is armor) around the waist. As above, may be plain or may be decorated with brass, tinned, or bronze plates. An apron of dangling belts is to be avoided. Heavier auxiliaries like hastati (spearmen) should endeavor to acquire a Mainz style or earlier model sword. Like the legionaries, the sword scabbard is attached to the waistbelt and is worn on the right-hand side. Auxiliaries are seldom depicted carrying a pugio and so these should be highly limited, if at all.
Helmet - acceptable helmets are Montefortino AH6050N, "Mannheim" Coolus, Coolus C AH6055N, Coolus D AH6316N, & Gallic A AH6306N. In the case of brass helmets, bronze is a preferable option if possible, but not a requirement. Auxiliaries may tin their helmets if they wish.
Armor - lorica hamata or lorica squamata. Skirmishers like slingers might go without armor. In the case of hamata, riveted armor is always preferable to butted.
Hasta - if a spearman, a simple iron spearhead about 8" - 12" on a hardwood shaft 5' - 6' long. A buttspike may be a simple triangular piece of iron which would help keep it stuck into the ground or, more tactically, stuck through a wounded enemy on the ground.
Sling - if a slinger, a sling as per appropriate construction with "split" or a leather basket to hold a projectile (stone, lead "bullet", etc.)
Sagum - a natural colored wool blanket with fibula makes a good cloak. Avoid black, purple; unnatural colors are not allowed.