Roman Soldiers Got Cold Feet (ca. 100 BC – 200 AD)
It is no secret that the Roman Empire once controlled more territory than any other empire in history – and it now appears that perhaps the secret to Roman success has been revealed! No, it wasn’t impeccable strategy, courageous generals, or unparallel war tactics… instead, the success of the Roman armies hinged on one crucial element: they always had warm toes.
Indeed, if there is one thing that’s important when it comes to war, it’s the comfort of the soldiers – after all, if you’re freezing cold, how can you possibly swing your sword at full strength? So, it appears that the Roman armies who went northward to conquer England took all necessary precautions to ensure that they were properly equipped for battle – including bringing along some very heavy woolen socks.
This is now known because one of the artifacts found at an excavation in Durham, England, was a highly unusual Roman razor handle: it was 5 centimeters high, made of copper alloy, and was shaped like a human leg and foot. The very unusual part is that the foot is wearing a common soldier’s sandal – but it also has a thick, woolly sock on at the same time! Socks and sandals together in Roman times? Clearly, comfort came before fashion on the northern frontier.
However, whether it was fashionable among the ranks to wear socks and sandals or whether the soldiers were simply protecting themselves against the harsh cold of the British north, there is one piece of evidence from another archaeological site that suggests Roman soldiers took their foot care very seriously – a letter was once found at the Roman fort of Vindolanda near Hadrian’s wall, in which a soldier actually wrote home to ask for… more socks!
Turns out socks are a handy gift after all…
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