The Lost Legion Part 1

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Facts

The Battle of Zhizhi between the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu chieftain Zhizhi Chanyu in 36BC in which in the end, Zhizhi was defeated then killed. The battle was probably fought near Taraz which makes it one of the westernmost points reached by a Chinese army. In 56 BC Zhizhi revolted against his brother and retreated westward. About 44 BC he made a close alliance with Kangjubut later he quarreled with the Kangju, killed several hundred of them and forced them to build him a fortress. The fort required 500 men and two years to build.

Twenty years later at about 36 BC Chen Tang, then the deputy commander with Gan Yanshou the Governor of the Western Regions claimed that Zhizhi was planning to build up a great empire and proposed a preemptive attack. Gan Yanshou objected to it but Chen Tang forged an edict and mobilized the army. An army of 40,000 marched across Kangju territory. The Chinese encamped about 30 Li from Zhizhi's fortress and the two sides exchanged negotiations. They then moved to within 3 Li of Zhizhi and fortified themselves. The Chinese piled on attacks and Zhizhi was mortally wounded. There were sources mentioned of a small 100 man "fish scale" formation as part of Zhizhi's forces. They may have been Romans captured by Parthians during the Battle of Carrhae and used as mercenaries by Zhizhi.

This is their tale; the Lost Roman Legionnaires.

A Centuria is about 80-100 men commanded by a Centurion who may be assisted by a Optio, who is his deputy. In a Centuria, there could be seven Decanus to manage a 8-12 man tent party. There is also the Signifier who handles the financial matter for the men. In the centurial there would be the Cornicen who is the signaler or horn blower. He is crucial in any battle and must be protected at all times. Then there is the men who are known as Munifex or Tirones if newly recruited.

A fully equipped Roman legionary was armed with a shield (scutum), several javelins (pilum), a sword (gladius), often a dagger (pugio), and perhaps darts (plumbatae). Conventionally, the javelins would be thrown to disable shields of enemies before engaging the enemy, at which point the gladius would be drawn. The soldier generally led with his shield and thrust with his sword. All types of gladius appear to have also been suitable for cutting and chopping motions as well as for thrusting.

All the Legionnaire wears mail armor over their tunic as it protects them arrows and sometimes the dagger. They also wore the scarf on their neck under the mail. Their mail armor is held in place by the belt they wear around their waist. All of them are issued with woolen pants that protects their legs. To ensure their lower torso are in protection, they would have the leather skirt on with additional metal pieces to give it extra protection. Their leggings are covered by the leather boots with the leather throng to hold it tight. Metal studs are placed under the boots to strengthen it for the long marching. The head gear of theirs is the half conical shape with a overlapping plates to cover the neck and cheeks.

As for the officers like the Centurion, he may have on is his torso armor and metal plates of arm bands with metal plates on his shin on top of his wooden sandals. The head gear of the officer has a brush of hard bristles on the top.

Every legionnaire is given a water bag and camping sack with a small shovel to be used in their camps. It also comes with a metal cup and plate.