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Caligae (Latin;sg.:caliga) are heavy-soledhobnailed militarysandal-boots that were worn as standard issue byRomanlegionary foot-soldiers andauxiliaries, includingcavalry.
Caligae (sg.:caliga) are heavy-duty, thick-soledopenwork boots, withhobnailed soles. They were worn by the lower ranks of Roman cavalrymen and foot-soldiers, and possibly by some centurions.[1] A durable association ofcaligae with the common soldiery is evident in the latter's description ascaligati ("booted ones").[2]
In the early 1st century AD, the soldiery affectionately nicknamed the two- or three-year-oldGaius "caligula" ("little boot"), because he wore a diminutive soldier's outfit, complete with smallcaligae.[3][4]
Occasionally, hobnailedcaligae must have proved inconvenient, especially on hard surfaces;Josephus describes the killing of acaliga-shod Roman centurion who had slipped on theTemple of Jerusalem's marble floor during an attack.[1] Nevertheless, the design of thecaliga allowed for its adjustment, which would have helped reduce chafing; it probably made an "ideal marching boot",[5] and "the thunderous sound of an attack by a hobnailed army (caligati) must have been terrifying".[2] Indeed, theTannaim (Jewish sages orChazal) ofRoman Judea limited their community's use ofcaligae in response to an instance when many Jews in hiding had misinterpreted their sound as that of approaching Romans and were killed in the resultant stampede (see BabylonianTalmud, Shabbat 60a).
Caligae would have been cooler on the march than enclosed boots. In warm,Mediterranean climates, this may have been an advantage. In northern Britain's cold, wet climate, additional woven socks or raw wool wadding in winter may have helped insulate the feet, butcaligae seemed to have been abandoned there by the end of the 2nd century AD, in favour of civilian-style "closed boots" (carbatinae).[5] By the late 4th century, this seems to have applied throughout the Empire. The emperorDiocletian'sEdict on Maximum Prices (301) includes set prices for footwear described ascaligae, but with no hobnails, made for civilian men, women and children.[2]
The caliga'smidsole and theopenwork upper were cut from a single piece of high quality cow or ox-hide. Anoutsole was fastened to the mid-sole, using clinchinghobnails, usually of iron but occasionally bronze. The turned-back clinchingnail ends were covered by aninsole. Like all Roman footwear, thecaliga was flat-soled. It was laced up the center of the foot and onto the top of the ankle. The Spanish scholarIsidore of Seville believed that the name "caliga" derived from the Latincallus ("hard leather"), or else from the fact that the boot was laced or tied on (ligere). Strapwork styles varied from maker to maker and region to region. The placement of hobnails is less variable; they were positioned to give optimal grip and foot-support, much like a modern sports shoe. At least one provincial manufacturer of armycaligae has been identified by name.[2]
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