The armour and weapons of the Roman army have long been the subject of intense research and speculation. While much has been published on their arms and armour, however, the actual clothing of Imperial soldiers has largely been overlooked. In this second part of a rigorous study of the literary, sculptural, pictorial and archaeological evidence, the specialist author-artist examines the clues which enable us to attempt reconstructions of items worn by officers and men all over the empire during the two centuries between the reign of Septimius Severus and the twilight years of Stilicho.

Tunic designs AD 200-500 · Military cloaks · Catalogue of evidence for colours of tunics and cloaks, AD 200-500 (32 items of literary, sculptural, fresco, encaustic, mosaic, papyrus and surviving textile evidence discussed) · Summary of the evidence · Trousers (bracae), leg-bindings · Military boots · Hats and other headgear · The Roman soldier on campaign · Bibliography

Graham Sumner was born in 1958. He studied illustration at Wrexham Art School and has specialised in archaeological reconstruction drawings. Graham has been involved with the Ermine Street Guard for nearly 20 years. He has written a number of articles on the Roman Army for Military Illustrated magazine and was the author of the popular Roman Army: Wars of the Empire in Brasseys' History of Uniform series. This is his second book for Osprey.