Paludamentum

General with paludatmentum and breastplate

The paludamentum is the Roman general and soldier's coat . The cloak consisted of a rectangular piece of fabric and was wrapped over the left shoulder like the sagum of soldiers and fastened to the right shoulder with a fibula . It had less practical use, but rather served (depending on the color of the coat) as a badge of rank. With the paludamentum , Roman emperors are often depicted on coins and on statues.

In late antiquity from Diocletian onwards , everyone who was in the service of the emperor was considered a soldier ( miles ); Civilian activities were now also a militia , which is why the officials mostly wore military cloaks ( paludamentum or chlamys ) and soldiers' belts ( cingulum ) instead of appearing in toga as in the past.

Web links

Commons : Paludamentum  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual proof

1. ↑ Angus Mcbridge: Colors in Military History and Their Meaning , page 46 ( "Republican Roman Army 200-104 BC" ).