Roman scutum shields with the equipment of a Roman legionnaire
Most equipment legionary was not a Roman invention. For example, pugio Romans borrowed from Iberian tribes. Also, gladius are modeled on Iberian swords; legionaries were equipped with this weapon for the first time during the Second Punic War by the Scipio Africanus Major.
They were much more effective than antenna type swords used at that time by the Roman army.
Also parts of the defense armament are an invention of other nations. Among others chain mail, shields, or helmet type montefortino were modeled on Celtic products. It is also worth mentioning that even pilum such a characteristic element of Roman armament has Etruscan origin.
Author:
Paweł Szymański
Sources
- Books of Osprey Publishing
- Wikipedia
