Kids Learning Zone

Equipment 

The Roman army was one of the most organized and formidable killing machines of the ancient world. They were a very well disciplined, technologically advanced and adaptable fighting machines that ruled a vast empire including Caledonia the land you now call Scotland. They ruled with a blend of providing an improved civilized lifestyle with new technologies mixed with brute force and coercion, a show of strength with merciless punishments a subtle mix of reward and punishment if you went against them.

Having all the gear but no idea would lead to failure, training in the weapons and equipment was vital to ensure success and ensure each soldier was effective in his duty.

They constantly improved & developed new weapons including heavy weapons like artillery. Armour and fighting formations coupled with advanced structured techniques ensured most of the time they were victorious although they did not always have it their own way. Check out the Armour & weapons pages to see the equipment. They also developed many tools and techniques to expand and grow the Roman empire all designed to become the best and most technological and successful race in a cruel world.
The Romans used a number of tools to create their defensive fortifications including a shovel, turf cutter, and Axe 'Dolabra'. These were carried by the soldiers on their packs or on the ox wagons that were used to transport heavy items.
 As well as the other tools they used an entrenching tool 'Ligo' to dig the ditches of camps, the spoil would then be transported in the basket & dumped or used in the defenses. You can also see a bill hook in the middle used for chopping wood or clearing dense vegetation.

The back pack was carried by each soldier it had spare clothes food rations & tools, it was tied to a 'T' pole and slung over the right shoulder with the shield slung over the left. They often marched 20-25 miles a day in full Armour whilst on campaign then at the end of the day had to dig the defenses for the camp.

 Cooking was done by each soldier they had their own pans carried on the packs, here you see the 'Patera' on the left, the 'Situla' on the right with the leather water or wine bottle at the bottom although metal ones were used also by soldiers.

Pottery was used to store & carry food on the march, often carried on the wagons. Here we see some scale versions of typical items that could be found in camp, there is a jar, an amphora, jug, & some Roman oil lamps.

 A close view of the decorated oil lamps showing gods on the black ones and an insect on the other. Some were decorated like above, but if you were poor then a plain lamp would be all you could afford to light the darkness.
 
Every school kid knows this item the Roman toilet roll, basically a sponge 'Spongia' on a stick used for the obvious. A most precious piece of equipment valued by the soldiers. In public toilets they were shared by everyone YEUCH!