Roman Soldier's Equipment

View of a carved relief of some of the equipment of a Roman Soldier — found at Ephesus.

On the helmet (the Cassis or Galea), note the horsehair plume (worn for ceremonial occasions) and the sidepieces that shield his cheek and neck.

Below the helmet is a pair of greaves. In front of the helmet part of the sheath, the handle of a sword (18 in. [0.5 m.] gladius) and a portion of the belt that secured the sword to the soldier's waist are visible.  Another, less probable interpretation is that the handle might be that of a dagger (pugio) instead of a gladius.

For a full view of a Roman gladiator who uses the equipment of a Roman soldier Click Here.

Compare the imagery used in Ephesians 6:11–17: "Put on the full armor of God . . . so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground . . . with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace . . . take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."