Roman cavalry re-enactment

Α magnificent reenactment of a group of late Roman cavalrymen bearing combat and partly parade armour. Note the dragon standard of the draconarius, his elaborate greaves, the somewhat ‘familiar’ visor and helmet of the “lancer” on the left,

Römischer Schienenpanzer in Kalkriese – neuer Fund auf dem Schlachtfeld

Von  kalkriese-varusschlacht.de

Illustration: Roland Warzecha

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Wissenschaftler präsentieren Jahrhundertfund

Wieder einmal ist den Archäologen am Ort der Varusschlacht in Kalkriese eine sensationelle Entdeckung gelungen. Gefunden wurde ein römischer Schienenpanzer. Er ist annähernd vollständig und datiert in die Zeit um Christi Geburt. Der Kalkrieser Schienenpanzer ist somit das am besten erhaltene und derzeit älteste bekannte Exemplar dieses Rüstungstyps in der römischen Welt.

Schienenpanzer schützten den Oberkörper der römischen Soldaten. Sie bestanden aus Metallplatten und Schienen, die sich durch Scharniere und Lederriemen miteinander verbinden und dem Träger individuell anpassen ließen.

Legion bases and fortresses during Trajan’s reign

A map depicting the legion HQ and fortresses during Trajan’s reign (AD 98–117). Trajan was one of the greatest Roman emperors and in general Roman personalities. During his reign, the Roman Empire reached its greatest extent. Note that

Whistling Sling Bullets Were Roman Troops’ Secret ‘Terror Weapon’

Republication from livescience.com/

Some of the Roman sling bullets found at the Burnswark Hill battle site in Scotland. The two smallest bullets, shown at the bottom of this image, are drilled with a hole that makes them whistle in flight.

(Image: © John Reid/Trimontium Trust)

Some 1,800 years ago, Roman troops used “whistling” sling bullets as a “terror weapon” against their barbarian foes, according to archaeologists who found the cast lead bullets at a site in Scotland.

Weighing about 1 ounce (30 grams), each of the bullets had been drilled with a 0.2-inch (5 millimeters) hole that the researchers think was designed to give the soaring bullets a sharp buzzing or whistling noise in flight.

The bullets were found recently at Burnswark Hill in southwestern Scotland, where a massive Roman attack against native defenders in a hilltop fort took place in the second century A.D. [See Photos of Roman Battle Site and Sling Bullets]

Ancient Roman port history unveiled

Republication from LA TROBE UNIVERSITY

Researchers successfully reconstructed anthropic influences on sedimentation, including dredging and canal gates use, in the ancient harbour of Portus – a complex of harbour basins and canals that formed the hub of commerce in the capital of the Roman Empire.