Sailortats is right: this thread has strayed from the original question.
But for the sake of clarity, while the Roman army required certain standards, these standards were upheld in the clothing, armour and weaponry the soldiers themselves purchased. These items were not given out as in a modern army. Armour and weaponry were made (or at least finished and sharpened) by smiths within the legion, and the clothing was probably made by a regimental tailor (to use a contemporary expression which might be somewhat anachronistic).
As in a modern army, though, Roman soldiers were responsible for replacing lost or damaged items.
Skirmishers wore animal skins, including the head portion, instead of a helmet. I would imagine each animal had been personally killed by the wearer.
Officers, and especially those of high rank, often wore very elaborate armour of their own choosing.
Regards,
Mike
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.
[Proverbs 14:27]
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