Imperial Roman Legionary AD 161–284

The Roman mine met the Persian excavations just under the city wall. Fighting in a tunnel approximately 1.6m wide and high, the soldiers presumably fought at most two or three abreast, only the opposing front ranks being able to fight hand to hand. If they had any light it was from smoky oil lamps or torches. The Romans fought in ring-mail armour, some with additional limb protection, and with shields. None wore helmets; the soldiers had to fight bent forward and the long neck guards of current helmets would have made it impossible to throw back their heads. The Romans carried swords and javelins - presumably used as thrusting weapons - while arrowheads indicate the use of bows. The Persians were similarly equipped but also wore helmets, for these had flexible mail at the neck rather than plate metal (James 1986).