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A234 - oriental Archer

ref. EK Castings Zinnfigur - A234 - oriental Archer

EK Castings A234 - oriental Archer - end I - begin IIc AD
Auxiliary troops (auxilia) the Roman army consisted of different types of infantry, among whom there were also groups of archers. These foot parts divided into cohorts, consisting of six centuries of 80 riflemen under the command of centurions. A cohort of 500 men commanded by a Roman prefect.
Archers (sagittarii) usually recruited in the eastern Roman provinces. Selected groups of archers were originally formed in Syria and in the future is always replenished by recruits from the province, no matter where there was a cohort, in Britain or Gaul. In the battle of the archers usually occupied a position behind the last ranks of the Legion and were shelling the enemy mounted through Legionnaires head. Archers used to cover the engineering, construction and siege works. During the capture of the fortress, the archers were shelling the defenders with a specially constructed siege towers.
 
Eastern archers used a composite bow (arcus), configured by wood, horn and sinew that allows shooting at a distance of up to 300 m. In order to pull a bow, arrows used a metal ring on the thumb of his right hand. Arrows (sagitta) (12 to 24 pieces) in the quiver worn behind the back to the top of plumage. Quiver made of leather or wood, and light was supplied cheresplechnym belt. Protective equipment and armament eastern archers were sufficiently unified with legionary, but had a pronounced oriental style. Arrows wore chain mail, or bronze flake (Lorica skuamata) armor. Helmet spheroconical form was equipped naschochnikami and nazatylnikom. helmet design could be as a whole, with a rich bronze and silver decor and simple frame-segment, unadorned. In service was a standard legionary sword - gladius. He could also be worn Waistband with an apron and a dagger.