Caligae
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Caligae (Latin; singular caliga) are heavy-soled hob-nailed military boots worn by Roman legionary soldiers and auxiliaries throughout the Roman Republic and Empire. Worn by all ranks up to and including centurions, no other shoes in history stand as much symbol for the expansion of an empire than the famed caligae. From Rome onwards and over many centuries these boots conquered the larger part of the known world.
To modern eyes the caligae resemble sandals but they were actually marching boots. Sandals proper were not worn outside by the Romans, rather they were regarded as indoor footwear, sometimes even carried by slaves to be changed into for such things as banquets.
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[edit] Design
The open design of caligae allowed for the free passage of air to the feet and, unlike modern military boots, was specifically designed so as to reduce the likelihood of blisters forming during forced marches, as well as other disabling foot conditions like tinea or trench foot. Socks were not normally worn with caligae, although in colder climates such as Britain, woolen socks were used.
Caligae were constructed from three leather layers of which the top formed the outer shell. They were laced up the center of the foot and onto the top of the ankle. Additionally, iron hobnails were hammered into the soles, to provide the caligae with:
- reinforcement
- traction
- armament (enabling soldiers to inflict damage by stomping)
[edit] Shoes outside the military
Various other types of leather footwear were worn with in the Roman empire. The carlatina was a sandal made from one piece of leather with a soft sole and openwork upper fastened by a lace. A soccus was a sole without hobnails and a separate leather upper. A calceus was hobnailed secured by laces. A solea was a simple sandal with a thong between the toes and a hobnailed sole. Women wore sandals similar to those of men, but they were of softer, finer leather. Winter shoes were usually cork-soled. Sometimes the soles were thickened to provide the imitation of height.
[edit] See also
- Caligula (The nickname of the Emperor Gaius means 'little (soldier's) boot'. His father Germanicus, a well esteemed military officer, wore them a lot, and influenced his son to wear them. When Caligula wore them as emperor, he covered them with precious jewels.
