Finds of military equipment and horse gear from the period between Caesar's conquests (c. 50 BC) and the fall of the empire's northern frontier (early 5th century AD) lie at the heart of the research presented here. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce a functional and chronological classification into both categories of finds so that the material can be analysed further. Firstly, the finds are divided into functional categories (appendix 2). Within each category, they are then arranged typochronologically and – where possible – attributed to legionarii or auxiliarii. Finally, within each category I identify the finds that are known from non-military contexts in the eastern Rhine delta. In general, the find data consists of stray, often fragmentarily preserved components of weaponry or horse gear. In order to give some idea of the equipment to which these fragments originally belonged, this chapter describes the different types of weaponry and horse gear in considerable detail. The catalogue numbers in the text comprise the site number (which refers to appendix 1) and one or more serial numbers for each site.

MILITARY EQUIPMENT

The military equipment of a Roman soldier (fig. 2.1) consists first and foremost of weaponry, which can be divided into defensive and offensive weapons (2.1.1-2). In addition, a belt – with its decorative apron – and baldric were used for suspending the sword and dagger (2.1.3). Finally, we can regard signalling instruments and dona militaria as indirect components of military equipment (2.1.4).

DEFENSIVE WEAPONRY

Defensive weapons are those items of equipment worn to protect the body. Images on monumental reliefs and gravestones show that helmets, armour and shields were part of the standard equipment of both legionary and auxiliary soldiers.

Helmets

Helmets were standard issue for all Roman soldiers. The addition of crests, tinning and other decorative features demonstrates that, as well as offering protection, a helmet served to express status and to impress opponents. Robinson and Klumbach published general surveys of Roman helmets at much the same time and, like Couissin, arranged them typologically. Although different names are given to the helmet types, both scholars adopt a similar classification. The typology I use here is based on that of Klumbach, which was further elaborated by Schaaff and Waurick (fig. 2.2).