Get the look: Roman auxiliary soldier

Although the legions are often seen as the backbone of the Roman army, they could not function without the auxilia. These auxiliary troops consisted of non-Roman citizens, often from outside the empire, and provided support with specialized skills such as light cavalry and archers. Recruited from the peregrini (free from civil rights), the auxilia were deployed in provinces other than their region of origin to prevent uprisings and promote Romanization. Under Emperor Claudius, the auxilia gained more status: soldiers received Roman citizenship after 25 years of service, and their commanders were henceforth chosen from the equestrian order. This increased the prestige and integration of these units within the army.

By the 2nd century AD, the auxilia were as numerous as the legions and crucial to the army. They provided not only military strength but also social mobility: soldiers received housing, food, and tax exemption, making life attractive, especially for poor farmers. Throughout the 3rd and 4th centuries, more barbarian allies were incorporated as foederati, sometimes with their own leaders in command. Reforms under Diocletian and Constantine I divided the army into three ranks (palatini, comitatenses, and limitanei), with old auxilia units being integrated into all levels. After the granting of universal citizenship in 212 AD, the formal distinctions between legionaries and auxilia soldiers disappeared, making their role in the Roman army both militarily and socially indispensable.

In this blog, we have outlined an outfit for an auxiliary soldier.

You can find another auxiliary soldier outfit in this blog

The Coolus, often referred to in German as a Hagenau-type helmet, is a type of ancient Roman helmet used by the Roman army during the late Roman Empire and the early Roman Empire. It was named after the place of the first discovery, Coolus, a city in northeastern France. These helmets were in use from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD.

The helmet was usually made of bronze, although some were made of iron. It consisted of a bowl-shaped skull cap with a forehead guard, neck guard, and cheek plates. There was often a crest knob to which the wearer could attach a plume.

The reproduction worn by our auxiliary troop is a replica of a find in Haltern, Germany. The original dates from the early 1st century AD and has a smaller neck plate than helmets from later periods.

The lorica hamata was a chainmail shirt, a chainmail shirt, which was the main type of armour for the Roman soldier from the 3rd century BC until the end of the Roman Empire. It was likely adopted from the Gallic tribes during the Republican period and was worn by both legionaries and auxiliary troops. The hamata consisted of alternating riveted and stamped rings, and the length varied from hip-length to just above the knee. Due to its flexibility, many soldiers preferred it over the lorica segmentata, which was developed in the 1st century AD.

Under the lorica hamata, one could wear a gambeson or subarmalis for additional protection against blunt force. However, no traces of organic material have been found on original Roman chainmail fragments.

The spear (hasta) of the auxiliaries was light enough to throw, but heavy enough to thrust with.

The Column of Trajan and the Column of Marcus Aurelius clearly show auxiliary troops, both infantry and cavalry, carrying flat, oval-shaped shields.

Trousers were introduced into the Roman army by 'barbarian' auxiliary troops, who wore them against the cold. The trousers were made of wool and were ideal for campaigns in the northern areas. The design of these trousers is based on finds in Thorsberg, Germany, dating from the 3rd or 4th century AD. Similar trousers have also been found in Damendorf.

Over the trousers, the auxiliary troops wore a short tunic, which could have various colors, and sometimes also a cloak to keep warm.

The cingulum or balteus was a belt used to attach various equipment. It was made of leather and often adorned with metal fittings.

The caligae were the standard sandals worn by Roman legionaries and auxiliary troops. The sole consisted of several layers of leather and was approximately 20 mm thick. It was reinforced with hobnails. The upper layer was made from one piece of leather and sewn at the heel. Due to the open design, they could be worn when crossing streams and rivers, and for warmth, the soldier could wear socks (undones). It is likely that caligae were almost never repaired and were discarded when they showed signs of wear.

The caligae are based on originals from the early 70s to the mid-80s AD.