Legionaries Clothing Colours

[votadini]

In all the books I have featuring illustrations of early imperial legionaries they predominantly are dressed in red tunics, but then you will see them in blue, green, white, etc. What are the sources on the colours worn? Were certain colours worn by certain legions or is the topic still a mater of conjecture?

[Lost_Warrior]

This topic will probably always be the subject of debate. The red tunics you see were more than likely popularized by Hollywood, and it's amazing how often movies make it into historical texts. It's possible that red tunics were worn, and I suspect some were, but the basic soldiery probably wore a rough "off white" tunic (the color of unbleached cloth). Red fades, and is difficult to keep looking nice, for one thing. Red dye was also very expensive.

 

It's been speculated that the other colors of tunics belonged to different groups; ie blue for the navy/marines, etc.

[votadini]

This topic will probably always be the subject of debate. The red tunics you see were more than likely popularized by Hollywood, and it's amazing how often movies make it into historical texts. It's possible that red tunics were worn, and I suspect some were, but the basic soldiery probably wore a rough "off white" tunic (the color of unbleached cloth). Red fades, and is difficult to keep looking nice, for one thing. Red dye was also very expensive.

It's been speculated that the other colors of tunics belonged to different groups; ie blue for the navy/marines, etc.

 

Thanks. All makes sense (at least till someone else makes me look dumb ).

[caldrail]

We know that red dye was used by the legions, most likely for centurions or higher ranks. The particular tone of red would vary according to local circumstance - but also according to rank. Lower ranks would have a duller colour, and more vivid colour for commanders. This has historical precedent and we know that romans were particularly keen on colour in their culture. The material would vary in quality in the same fashion. However, as the poster already said, an off-white is more than likely for ordinary legionaries. The speculation about colour coding is probably correct in a subtle and low key way. After all, human beings have done that for their military since... well... ancient times. Heraldry after all isn't just identification, its a human derivative of a threat display in herd animals.

[trajan06]

according to some research done by the esg red tunics were warn when on active duty and a linen colour tunic when off duty

[Julius Ratus]

This is a very interesting subject. What sources are you using that suggest specific colours for legionary uniforms?

[Primus Pilus]

A related article

[votadini]

A related article

 

The article overall is good in its honesty that in the end the subject will probably never be truly solved but then the author writes "There is no evidence that we are wrong to wear blue and the wearing of white would surely be incorrect for field order" without reference to sources other than what his group of reenactors wear

[caldrail]

A related article

 

The article overall is good in its honesty that in the end the subject will probably never be truly solved but then the author writes "There is no evidence that we are wrong to wear blue and the wearing of white would surely be incorrect for field order" without reference to sources other than what his group of reenactors wear

 

Why would white be incorrect as field order? Ancient cloth isn't going to feature on any soap powder commercial - its just too dull. Furthermore it was cheap and available. The greeks were quite happy to use it.

[Primus Pilus]

I only posted the article as an example of very divergent schools of thought on the matter. There truly is no consensus opinion on the issue of legionary tunica.

[Julius Ratus]

White seems like a reasonable colour choice because the urine needed to bleach it is readily available.

 

Red or purple would seem unlikely because they were rather expensive, and anyone employed by the state should know, the state will always cut costs whenever possible. The Spartans were known to wear crimson, and according to the Life of Lycugus by Plutarch, the expense seems to have been part of the reason behind the Spartans wearing crimson. Since the Legion was paid for by the Roman government after a certain point, they probably weren't to lavishly dressed, except for possibly officers.

 

I had also heard that black wasn't a common colour in ancient times, as that it faded far too quickly and rapidly turned to gray. Gray would probobly be a common colour beause alot of wool is naturally grayish, and anything dyed black would quickly become gray. On the side, I heard that many of the Macedonian royal family members favoured black because of its expense (the expense comming not form the price of the dye but because of the need for new clothing when the old clothes went gray). For all this black stuff, I don't know where the sources for this are, I heard it from my Professor, who is an Alexander specialist.

[Nikephoros Phokas]

I recommend the Osprey books that cover military uniforms from early Republican to Byzantine times. The various theories are based on thorough research and there are lots of illustrations including some that show original colors on paintings, mosaics, sculptures and monuments.