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Caligae
Last Updated: 3-15-08
Galea, Lorica: Segmentata, Lorica: Hamata, Tunica, Subarmalis, Balteus, Gladius, Pugio, Caligae, Marching Pack, Tools, Cold Weather Gear
The classic Roman military boot! Numerous examples have been found in archeological sites throughout the
Empire. For the time period Legio VI recreates we focus on ones found in warm weather areas during the first century.
The construction of a pair of Caligae involves a lot of careful cutting but is otherwise straightforward. The insole
of the Caligae should be thick enough to protect your foot from the hobnails, about three (3) ounce. The upper section
(the part that wraps around your foot) is cut from a single peice of three (3) to (6) ounce leather.
The lower section (that has the hobnails hammered threw). The upper section will be "sandwiched" between the insole
and lower section. The sole of the Caligae the insole, upper, and lower sections should be at least 1/2 inch thick
and no more than 3/4 of an inch thick.
Construction:
***Remember when cuting your Caligae out: It is much easier to make
it smaller after it is cut out, than it is to make it bigger!***
I) The first thing you want to do is find a pattern you
like. There are many different patterns out there for you to choose from. On this page you will find a link for
a step-by-step guide on a Mainz pattern from Lee Holeva and two simple patterns from Legio XX. After you have choosen
the pattern you like print it out. Making a paper moch up, this will save you some time and a lot of money!
II) When you are cutting the pattern out of the leather,
cut the lacing straps on the top of the Caligae a little bit longer. This will allow you to wear undones with out them
being to tight. It will also allow room for the insole. Cut two (2) insoles out. One of thick leather, the
same thickness if not an ounce more than the upper section of the Caligae. The other cut out of about three (3)
ounce leather.
***This would be a good time to oil your leather with neatsfoot oil.
Now or after completion!***
III) After you have your three (3) peices of leather
ready take the thicker of the insoles and decide where you want to place the hobnails. The hobnails can be placed anywhere
and how ever you want. You can put "LEG VI" or "SPQR". We are able to tell from finds that the Romans knew where
to place hobnails on the Caligae due to the concentration of hobnails at the toes and heel. You might want to leave
a little bit of room towards the rim of the lower section because sewing the upper and lower sections together is an opition.
Once you know where you want them punch a hole in each one of those spots. Not as big as the hobnail itself, about
a size or two smaller.
IV) Once the holes are punched it is hammer time!
I personally have seen the upper and lower sections of the Caligae hobnailed together as well as sewn together, with the hobnails
just threw the lower section. So either way is fine.
To hammer the hobnails threw the leather place the lower section on an anvil, old peice of thick steel, or a peice of
rail and simply hammer them threw. Your objective is to curl or bend the top of the nail so that it doesn't slide
back threw the hole you punched. Some of the nails can be stubborn and you may need to hammer the top of the hobnail
to get it to bend.
V) If you didn't hammer the hobnails threw
both the upper and lower section then all you have left to do is sew the two sections together.
Making Authentic Caligae "how-to" page, by Lee Holeva, click here.
Here is what “Roman Military Equipment: From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome” by M.C. Bishop &
J.C.N. Coulston has to say about Caligae.
Roman military footwear of this period was very distinctive and is well-known from the literary, represetational and
archaeological evidence. Usually known as a caliga, each boot was made from three main pieces of vegetable-tanned
ox or cow leather - the upper, the sole, and an insole. All three layers were clenched with hobnails, frequently arranged
in patterns, at least some of which were designed to facilitate comfortable walking and anticipated 20th-century research
into the optimum design of training-shoe soles. The uppers were pierced with openwork designs, so that the boots looked
more like the modern idea of a sandal, but it was, as van Driel-Murray has pointed out, an exremely functional piece of footwear.
The openwork upper gave good ventilation, the many straps allowed adjustment to fit the peculiarities of an individual's foot,
whilst ports of the boot that might rub (toe joints, ankle, big toe nail) were cut away. Caligae found on Roman
military sites seldom show signs of repair, usually being thrown away once the nails started to wear through the insole and
thus become uncomfortable. Complete boots have been found at Mainz and Valkenburg, but their remains are known from
several 1st-century sites where waterlogged conditions have preserved leather.
Hob-nailed boots were not merely worn by Roman soldiers, but they became synonymous with the military. Juvenal
commented on the brutal use of boots on civilians and the imprint of studs on a victim's face. Josephus recounted the
anecdote of a Roman centurion who was killed by a mob after his hobnails caused him to skid on stone paving and fall over,
and it seems that soldiers form the frontiers, visiting Rome and unused to paved streets, were the butt of metropolitan humour.
Hob-nailed boots were forbidden to Jews by Jewish law for reasons of identification, because both their tracks and their noise
revealed the presence of Roman soldiers.
Suppliers:
Soul of the Warrior makes their own pair of caligae. They also carry the Deepeeka pair of caligae. They also carry Danyial Steel Craft authentic hobnails.
Albion Swords does a very good job like all of there gear. There Roman line of gear is getting smaller and smaller so supplies might
be limited.
Saddler's Den does a good job too! His stuff is a bit high, especailly with the exchange rate, but worth it.
PAR Fabrica has a nice pair of roman caligae and a pair of soleae for off duty or Navtivity drama.
Keltica carries Danyial Steel Craft authentic hobnails.
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