Ancient Warfare Answers (418): What did legionaries drink on campaign?

Dan asks "May I submit an awa for uncle Murray here? What did legionaries drink on campaign? Aside from the obvious water and wine. Did they have flavoured cordials or plain water? Did they start their day with a hot drink and end with something cold, like we drink coffee and beer? Do we know of water rations, and can we infer if the legions were particularly hydrated or not? Thanks, Dan"

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2 comments

We often read that the late Republican/Early Principate Roman legionaries wore chain mail armor. Often the assumption is made that every man in the ranks was issued a coat of chain mail. Knowing that the manufacture of such armor is very labor intensive and takes time to make one set, one has to ask, where were the factories and labor force that made enough armor coats to equip whole legions of soldiers? I would like to hear a discussion on the manufacture of armor for the Roman legions and auxilia.

Mary Minshall

Hi, im long time folower and i buy the magazines on a regullar bassis. Can you maybe talk in a future podcast about the dacian presence in Britain. I know that after Trajanus conquerd Dacia, some auxiliar units were sent there. It is imposible to find more material about this subject. Much apreciated. Thanks

Aurelian

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