MovieChat Forums > Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire (2006) Discussion > Roman Legionaires' uniforms are inaccura...

Roman Legionaires' uniforms are inaccurate

posted 15 years ago by jeffyoung1
4 replies | jump to latest

The Roman legionaires' uniforms depicted in this history documentary is highly inaccurate.

The show's producers essentially chose the Roman legionary uniform of roughly 106 A.D. - the time of emperor Trajan - and used it throughout the entire historical depiction of the Roman empire.

This is the disappointment for people like me who own books on ancient warfare and see the artistic depictions of the changing uniforms of Rome, from the time of the Republic to the late Roman empire.

Like any army, past and present, no army keeps the same uniform over several centuries. Rome was no different. The helmets, armor, and shields were all different from the Republic through the early empire to the very late empire.

Maybe the show's producers didn't have the funds to finance accurage arms and armor and decided upon one pattern that would not be noticeable to the average layman. The Roman legionary of 350 A.D. looked very different from the classic Roman legionary at the height of Rome in 108 A.D. Towards the end of the empire, many legionaries did not even have armor, just the simpler mass-produceed multi-pieced helmet, larger shield, and long sword (spatha). I wish the director and producers had thought better to do a good job for historical accuracy.

[–] ArchStanton1862 14 years ago

What are you talking about? They may not have gotten them completely accurate but they tried harder than any other program I can remember. The uniforms looked nothing like that of Trajan's. They were wearing the late style helmets, chain mail, and trousers. I didn't see much in the way of scale armor but that's probably a budgetary matter. Still, all around good job (At least costume-wise). Don't know what series you're talking about.

FABRICATI DIEM, PVNC

[–] mblount540 14 years ago

It would seem to me, that when doing a mini-series of different eras of history;compromises have to be made. Making four or five completes sets of armor and weapons from different periods of the Roman Era; would be beyond the BBC's budget for a series like this. To make a generic Roman Uniform and Arms, accomplishes the purpose and only the true Romanophile, would notice the error.This is comparable to many American Westerns that are set in the 1860's and early 1870's, but the cast are equipped with 1880's and 1890's weapons.It should be overlooked, and history buffs should be glad these types of films are being made at all.These films should be supported by fans;not criticized for minor historical flaws.

[–] ztpt 14 years ago

What show did you see?
I think they got it pretty right.
They had Camillan/Polybean/pre-marius troops in the "revolution" episode set ca 150 BC.
The Ceasar episode had the post Marius reform troops
The "Constantine"/"fall of rome" had third reform troops in correct costumes/shields and carried dracos...and if you see this together with the "atilla"and "spartacus" episode of "heroes and villains" also by BBC as well as "Hannibal-rome greatest enemy" also by BBC ,also by the same team.

[–] jeffyoung1 12 years ago

Oops...I though I was commenting on the HISTORY channel's production. This thread is for the BBC documentary. My mistake. My personal comments are still relevant for the HISTORY channel production.