Roman Armor

[cmacq]

Just like the Black Hessians?

[Constantius I]

How accurate is the HBO/BBC series ROME? I know it is fiction and highly entertaining (I recommend to anyone here) but how accurate were the roman soldiers uniforms portrayed?

[machinor]

I think they were quite accurate. The helmets looked a bit odd, like a Montefortino-attic(?)-mix. The shields were too rectangular and too "flat", I think; they also looked a bit small. Not sure about the size, though.

[Centurion Crastinus]

How accurate is the HBO/BBC series ROME? I know it is fiction and highly entertaining (I recommend to anyone here) but how accurate were the roman soldiers uniforms portrayed?

The gladius was pretty goofy looking in certain episodes. They looked way to narrow in certain episodes.

[Hax]

How accurate is the HBO/BBC series ROME? I know it is fiction and highly entertaining (I recommend to anyone here) but how accurate were the roman soldiers uniforms portrayed?

Well, it's way more historically accurate than some other series, and personally, I don't really mind. Only a small percentage is interested in complete historical accuracy, but HBO needs to entertain the other huge percentage of the viewers.

Well, their armour is pretty historically accurate, IIRC.

[worlddomination88]

What about the helmets in Gladiator was there any time when they wore the helmets like that?

[Centurion Crastinus]

Are you referring to the gladiator's helmets or the legionary's helmets?

[Disciple of Tacitus]

Throwing my 2 cents in here regards to Roman Armor, although I know this horse has been beaten. Worlddomination88, you have legitimate questions and you are new to the forum. First, welcome. Second, we welcome your questions. You will find the EB lot a friendly bunch for the most part and educated in their respective fields - my field is caipirinha makin' and pint quaffin'.
For an in-depth but easily digestible book about the Roman Army, I point you towards Adrian Goldsworthy's "The Complete Roman Army" It covers the western roman army in the time period that we have solid evidence for, i.e., from about 300 BC to 400 AD. Although much of his evidence is of western european origin (mostly British and the cooresponding continental coastal areas), it is a great starting point - especially for an English speaker.
We might also point you in the direction of the "stickied" Europa Barbarorum Bibliography. Poke around and look up what catches your interest.
Cheers.

[Spartan198]

What about the helmets in Gladiator was there any time when they wore the helmets like that?

If you're referring to the helmet that Russel Crowe wore during the battle of Zama,no. Very cool,I admit,but ahistorical.
The legionary helmets,on the other hand,are pretty accurate to my momentary knowledge,though. But I haven't watched it in a few months,so I could be wrong.

[Starance Quintus]

I really don't mind. But yer, Most of the roman armor varies from different parts of the Empire. Alot of the armor was mixed with other cultures armors.

[Hax]

Okay, can we refrain from using the word Troy when it's about the movie here?

/me twitches.

I. Despised. It.

[cmacq]

I'm sure no one here has seen these...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP6XU_d1boE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xODx3UJ7W7I&NR=1

[Spartan198]

Okay, can we refrain from using the word Troy when it's about the movie here?

/me twitches.

I. Despised. It.

I changed it to "that movie about the Trojan War". Is that okay?

[Spartan198]

How accurate is the HBO/BBC series ROME? I know it is fiction and highly entertaining (I recommend to anyone here) but how accurate were the roman soldiers uniforms portrayed?

I agree. HBO Rome is quite accurate,though not 100% (to our current knowledge,I mean). Plus the sudden skip-over of the battle of Actium was a big disappointment to me. But I'm a history nut,though,and I tend to spot every little inaccuracy in movies and shows like this (such as the above-mentioned gladius issue and the Myrmidons use of a testudo-like formation in Troy).

Side question: I know it's a bit off-topic,but am I the only one who noticed (in that movie about the Trojan War) the Trojan Apollonians' distinctly Roman fighting style of throwing a missile weapon into enemy ranks before charging in with their swords? I'm not trying to go off-topic,I'm only asking because I'm curious.

Long live Roman chainmail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!