Roman sandals started as functional, sturdy footwear that offered protection. They quickly became a marker of class, status and rank.

The most basic sandal was the generic calceus or solea. Outdoor shoes completely encased the foot and were fastened in front with thongs. Early shoes had curved toes, while later styles had rounded ones.

They were made of leather

Sandals were the most common type of footwear in ancient Rome. They were laced up to the ankle or the calf and were often decorated in different ways. Roman men wore carbatinae, which were moccasin-like sandals and women wore calceoli Simple way. Soldiers in the Roman army wore caligae, thick-soled hobnailed marching shoes.

These sturdy shoes protected the foot against blistering and trench foot while allowing for greater mobility. They could even support a piece of metal armor on the legs. This was the best way to protect soldiers on long marches and keep them moving forward.

The shoes were crafted by sutors, shoemakers who were highly respected in the Roman Empire. They used a forma, a foot-shaped wooden block, to craft the soles and an iron block to shape the nails. Archeological discoveries of shoeprints have confirmed the accuracy of these techniques. The Romans were not the first civilization to develop these sandals, but they improved them greatly.

They were made to last

Until recently, researchers had only been able to find fragments of shoes. But in August, a hiker in Norway spotted an iron age sandal sticking out of the snow. He contacted Secrets of the Ice, a group that studies glaciers and ice patches in the country. The team was able to excavate the shoe, and it turned out to be a Roman carbatina.

The ancient Mesopotamian people, Egyptians, and Greeks all went barefoot or wore simple sandals. But the varied climate on the Italian peninsula and the vast Roman Empire’s expansion required a more diverse selection of footwear. The caligae, or marching sandals, were robust hobnailed boots that gave soldiers optimal traction on rough terrain.

The Romans also made it possible for soldiers to customize their shoes by cutting them to accommodate the differences in their left and right feet. These custom shoes allowed the legions to move rapidly over rough and uneven ground. They also let the soldiers express themselves through their footwear, with astrological symbols insoles and arrangements of hobnails.

They were made to look good

Whether they were for the casual citizen or the battle-hardened gladiator, sandals made an important fashion statement in ancient Rome. They were both breathable and offered protection from the hot Mediterranean sun. In addition, they could be worn with a variety of outfits and accessories to create a unique look.

Caligae were heavy, hob nailed military sandals issued to foot soldiers up to the rank of centurion and came in several types: scouts wore speculator; horsemen wore equestris and fighting men wore clavata. Soldiers on long campaigns often wore socks with these shoes to keep their feet warm and prevent blisters.

When the Romans conquered Greece, they adopted the style of sandals for their citizens and army. They improved on the design, adding details such as ankle straps and heel loops to make them more comfortable. The sandals were also more durable, making them ideal for soldiers on long campaigns and reducing the risk of blisters.

They were made to be functional

The Romans developed sandals that were more comfortable and durable than those of other civilizations. Their advancements in shoemaking allowed them to travel further and fight more effectively. They also improved the performance of gladiators in combat.

Soldiers up to the rank of centurion wore caligae, or military sandals. These heavy-soled, hobnailed shoes protected the feet from rough terrain and facilitated rapid movement over long distances. Foot integrity was critical for the legions as they expanded the empire.

These shoes were so durable that a surviving pair of them was found in Oslo’s Kulturhistorisk Museum. Its condition was so good that conservators were able to identify the gender and age of the wearer using the shape and dimensions of the sandal. Based on this information, researchers have been able to develop a method for identifying the original owner of any given Roman shoe or sandal. The technique is based on measuring the shoe and its width “waist” to determine whether it was worn by a man or a woman.