The armour and weapons of Rome's legionaries and auxiliaries have been the subject of intense research and speculation, and much has been published - but almost nothing on the actual clothing of Imperial soldiers. In this first part of a rigorous study of the literary, sculptural, pictorial and archaeological evidence, a specialist author/artist examines the clues which enable us to attempt reconstructions of tunics, cloaks, footwear and other items worn by officers and men all over the empire, from the late Republic to c.200 AD. His text is illustrated with meticulous drawings of surviving relief sculptures - particularly soldiers' gravestones - and eight striking colour plates.

Tunic designs · Military cloak designs · Dyes and dyeing · Catalogue of evidence for colours of tunics and cloaks, AD 1 - 200 (25 items of literary, sculptural, fresco, encaustic, mosaic, papyrus and surviving textile evidence discussed) · The scarf · Trousers (bracae), legwear, leg-bindings, socks, waistband · Military boots · Miscellaneous items