Hi, meet can of worms....

>Hi Guys,
>I need help with Republican Romans?1st, 2nd and 3rd?Punic Wars.
>What color/s were the Leg tunics

Two schools of thought, plain linen/white or red. The arguments are ongoing.
One argument is white/linen for undress tunic, and red for battle.

>and what color were the shields and
>did they have patterns or emblems on them??

We know they could be distinguished, as on at least one occasion a new
legion was noted as arriving because their shields could be distinguished.

Accordingly, most people assume one basic standard colour for a legion,
I have seen painted examples in red, white, blue, green and yellow.
(NB, it is not impossible that Hastati, Principes and Triarii used
different colours.)

Yellow seems unlikely as it was a relatively uncommon pigmentation. Red and Blue
are easy to colour, and white could well be chalk or similar.

Markings are completely unknown, especially as legions were disbanded after
specific wars. Probably not unreasonable to use simple markings that have
some association with later named Legions. Examples might be twins, (Gemini)
Clubs (Herakles), Bulls etc...

I suppose the good thing is no-one can point to it, and state categorically
that it is wrong (caveat: currently, the time machine beckons).

Cheers

Doug M.




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