gandolf,
Depending on the time period, Roman soldiers would wear red or white/off white tunics. Yellow was associated with cavalry and blue with sailors. I think the blue you see on the preatorians in Gladiator is more hollywood than history.
the debates rage on as to the exact colors, but several extent archeological finds are some good primary documentation of this as well as several extant art pieces. i.e painted statues, frescoes, wall reliefs, mosaics etc.
There are alos arguments as to the reason behind it. One is that red is a cheap dye. The belief that it hides blood is on its way to becomeing an accepted myth as these are soldiers that even their training involved alot of blood, watched blood sports, and had a firm belief that the best way to stop the spilling of Roman blood was to spill the others guys first and more of it. So I don't think they would be worried about it. Besides, unless it is washed out immediately, blood dries to a very dark brown or even black stain on wools and linens. So little is hidden.
Purple was saved for dignitaries, senators and the social elite.
I would reccomend to you several publications by Grahm Sumner. He is doing a great deal of reserach on this topic and has published more than a few books on the subject. One of his most recent is an Osprey book specificaly on Roman Military Clothing.
Mike
Mike
"Imagination is the dye that colors our lives"
Marcus Aurellius
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"
