Roman Legion

You strike your sword against your rounded shield, shouting alongside your legionaries outside the gates of Syracuse. Inside, their people are filled with terror, deafened by your army’s trumpets and noise. Arrows rain down and you and your fellow soldiers form a barrier with your shields.

There is nothing that can stop you. The design of your shield allows you to stand in close formation, advancing on their defenders and dispatching them quickly. Even if an arrow should find its way through the cracks, your Roman Legion armour will keep you entirely protected.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Roman Legion is a flexible plate cuirass inspired by the lorica segmentata worn by the Ancient Roman infantry. The Roman Legion protects the torso and abdomen with overlapping, vertical lamellae. Large pauldrons protect the shoulders and upper arms while providing additional protection to the armpits and upper breast.

Secure the Roman Legion armour by tightening the leather strap across the chest and lacing the leather cord through brass fittings up the front abdomen. Made of polished 1 mm thick mild steel and top-grain leather straps, this armour piece is built to withstand the abuse of a LARP or reenactment with regular leather and metal armour care.

Available in sizes Medium and Large.

HISTORY

• Referred to as a lorica segmentata in Latin, used by the Roman Legions
• Used during the golden age of the Roman Empire
• Was replaced during the 3rd century due to economic troubles and a fundamental shift in Roman military tactics
• Typically worn with a spear, large shield, helmet, and sometimes chainmail

• Made from 1mm/19 gauge thick mild steel
• Rolled edges with no sharp edges
• Straps and fittings made from top-grain leather
• Hand made, welded pieces for maximum durability
• Polished steel finish

Epic Armoury metal works products should still be treated with oil and kept in dry storage. All our metal armours contain leather parts that need regular maintenance using leather-care products to keep the leather from drying out.

Cleaning

If your armour does get wet, it is important that you dry it thoroughly as soon as possible.

After handling, wearing, or after six months of storage or display, all metal should be wiped with a clean cloth. Lightly oil the clean surface with a quality machine or mineral oil. Alternatively, you can apply a coating of wax to the entire surface of exposed metal. Allow the wax to dry for a couple of hours and then buff it lightly with a soft cloth.

Rust-Prevention and Removal

Store your armour is a dry place and check it every couple of months for signs of rust. If any is found, remove it by gently rubbing the affected spot with a mildly abrasive pad dipped in paste wax, oil, or water-displacing liquid.

Leather Straps and Fittings

Clean by removing dirt with a hard brush, then gently rub on leather soap with a clean, damp cloth until the leather appears clean. Remove soap with a separate damp cloth to wipe away any soap residue and then use a dry cloth to wipe away any remaining water from the leather.

You should always condition leather after cleaning, since the soap will have removed some of its natural oils. Treat the leather with mink oil, olive oil, or beeswax polish with a clean cloth, gently rubbing a small amount of oil or polish in circles into the leather. Allow the leather to soak in the oil before wiping the leather with a final clean cloth to remove any excess residue.