People of Rome

Most Roman men wear simple rectangular-cut tunics, cinched at the waist by a belt or cord, with sandals. Some wear a toga over the top to provide extra warmth. Senators and officers of the state are distinguished by white togas - tribunes by white togas with purple edging. Roman women wear long pleated dresses or stolae over a simple tunic. This simple clothing might be made of rich, colourful material depending on the social class of the wearer, perhaps in the red of the republic. In cold weather, or for the sake of fashion, stolae may be accompanied with a palla or long shawl.

The republican Roman will wear jewellery with a purpose - for example signet rings are common amongst high status Romans. Brooches are popular, or perhaps something that brings to mind a military career, maybe plain wrist bands in leather.

The cultural armour for Rome is metal or leather Lorica Segmentata on the torso. This may be accessorised with a fur trimmed cloak for officers, or an animal pelt for standard bearers. Wolf, lion and bear pelts were all used.

The cultural shield for Rome, known as the scutum, is a curved rectangular or oval tower shield. Whilst the professional soldiers of the legions aim to have matching shields, the enforcers of the collegia often have more of a mix of equipment.

There are no shortages of media references for Rome. Most recently there is the HBO Series Rome and the the weekly serial Spartacus: Blood and Sand. The BBC series I Claudius shows a particular view on high-status Roman life. Looking further back there are epics such as Spartacus, Ben Hur, Quo Vadis, Cleopatra, and Demetrius and the Gladiators. Romans are also antagonists in some episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess.