Wealthy Roman armies
Even in the olden days in the battlefield, rich and poor were treated differently.
In the supreme Roman army--efficient, well trained, and usually well officered--equipment and role were one time determined by wealth. The richest men wore shield, breastplate, greaves (armor for the leg below the knee), helmet, and carried sword and spear. The less-wealthy men did not wear breastplates. Poor men were equipped with only a helmet. The poorest men had no armor at all, but carried spear and sword.
Poor Roman armies
In the supreme Roman army--efficient, well trained, and usually well officered--equipment and role were one time determined by wealth. The richest men wore shield, breastplate, greaves (armor for the leg below the knee), helmet, and carried sword and spear. The less-wealthy men did not wear breastplates. Poor men were equipped with only a helmet. The poorest men had no armor at all, but carried spear and sword.
Poor Roman armies
