The Roman Legion were the best equipped soldiers in the world - being well protected but still possessing considerable freedom of movement. In addition to being well trained and armed legionnaires were combat engineers, able to march 20 miles a day in full gear and build a fortified camp before nightfall. |
Introduction |
The Uruk-Hai is a breed of Orcs, evil fighting creatures created by Saruman. They bear his symbol, the white hand, on their shields and helmets. Unlike their Orc brothers, Uruk-Hai were not harmed by daylight, although they preferred to attack at night. |
| Overall about 70% of a legionnaire's naked flesh was covered by armor of some kind but mobility was seen as a better defense so armor was kept light although this changed in later years. | Armor |
These guys obviously got the good stuff, chain mail in good repair, plate armor that's relatively co-ordinated and not rusted, solid leather stuff mostly in black. There were a range of unpolished iron helms, most remarkably some that had two round holes cut out for eyes. |
| Offensive weapons included the short sword, or gladius, which was about two feet long with a well-tempered double-edged blade. It is interesting to observe that as the empire went over to the defensive, the long sword became widely used. Additionally, the legionary carried a dagger, which was probably used as a knife and as a close-in weapon. | Weapons |
Uruk-Hai
are armed with deadly scimitars, forged in the mines of Orthanc. They
carried shields which they used both offensive and defensively. Most all
of the Uruk-Hai were proficient with the heavy crossbow. |
| The legionnaires were well disciplined and rigorously trained by Centurions who they feared more than any enemy. Forced marches of great distance while in precise formation and carrying a heavy load were conducted regularly. Endurance and skill with swimming was also greatly emphasized. One thing was constant in the Roman army - training. Soldiers were drilled relentlessly in fighting with different types of weapons singly and in formation. | Training |
The Uruk-Hai were bread supernaturally and required little or no training in the art of war. They were all natural trackers and could run down their enemies with their frenatic marching pace, which more resembled a run than a march. |