Velites were a class of light infantry in the Roman Republic. They played an important role in the early Roman army and were known for their mobility and versatility on the battlefield. They were the youngest and poorest soldiers of the legion.
The Indo-European kóryos
In Indo-European cultures, it was a common practice for a group of young men in their teenage to adolescent years to participate in a warrior band (kóryos). The men had not yet built wealth or influence and still had to prove themselves. These small groups often formed a cult centered around a god and represented themselves through the wolf, the boar, or the bear. Examples of this can be found throughout Indo-European cultures, such as the Germanic Berserker, the Celtic Fianna, the Roman Velites, and the Spartan Crypteia.
The animals represented their cunning, strength, and aggression. After undergoing painful trials to join the group, they were sent away to live for several years as landless warriors in the wild. Within the group ranging from two to twelve members, lawless actions such as night raids and cattle rustling were common. The young men had no other possessions than their weapons and lived on the fringes of society and from what nature provided them. Their life revolved around fighting, hunting game, and raiding settlements on one hand; and reciting heroic tales that recount the deeds of heroes from the past and legends about cattle raids on the other hand.
The initiation period within the kóryos was seen as a transitional phase preceding the status of an adult warrior and was usually crowned by participation in the tribe or city-state. The kóryos were symbolically associated with death and liminality, but also with fertility and sexual licentiousness. The war bands believed in symbolic transformation. Hence, wolf or bear fights were enacted. They no longer fought as humans, but as wolves. Their ideal fighting technique was attributed to the wolf's characteristics: violence, deceit, speed, great strength, and warrior's fury.
The velites
One of the main tactics of the Velites was a hit-and-run style of warfare. They would advance quickly, throw their spears at the enemy, and then retreat to avoid direct confrontations. This intimidation could disrupt the enemy formation and weaken their forces before the main infantry lines would clash. This way, they could even fight against war elephants.
Velites were often deployed at the start of a battle to engage in short, rapid skirmishes with the enemy and to observe the movements of the heavier Roman infantry and cavalry. As the battle progressed, the velites would withdraw and make way for the heavier armored and organized maniples of the Roman legion.
Over time, as the Roman army evolved, the role of velites diminished. After the so-called Marian reforms in 107 BC, they were disbanded.
Veles composition
Tunic
The veles wore a simple tunic. It is not known what colour the tunic had, although it was likely a more neutral colour than red.
Caligae
The caligae were the standard sandals worn by Roman legionaries and auxiliary troops. The sole consisted of multiple layers of leather and was approximately 20 mm thick. It was reinforced with nails. The upper layer is made from a single piece of leather and sewn to the heel. Due to the open design, they could be worn when crossing streams and rivers, and for warmth, the soldier could wear socks (udones). Caligae were probably almost never repaired and immediately discarded once they began to show signs of wear.
Helmet
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 Republic and the early Roman Empire. It is named after the place of its first discovery, Coolus, a city in the northeast of 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 brow guard, neck guard, and cheek flaps. Often there was a crest knob present, to which the wearer could attach a plume.
Often the velites wore leather helmets, or no helmet at all, because they could not afford them.
Animal Hide
The velites adorned themselves with predator hides, such as those of wolves or bears, which they wore over their heads. This was a symbol of their courage and bravery in battle. We have replaced these with a deer hide.
Shield: parma
The veles was also equipped with a small round shield, a parma. The helmet and parma were the only forms of protection the veles wore.
In this photo's we use an old and battered round shield from which the shield boss has been removed.
However, we also offer a replica parma.
Javelins: hastae velitares / veruta
The velites carried 5 to 7 light spears or javelins. They were significantly shorter than the well-known pilum and were perfect for quick skirmishes.
