Loculus
Loculus is the conventional name for a small bag associated with a Roman soldier’s marching equipment. Trajan’s Column shows containers and bundles on carrying poles, but does not supply a complete pattern.
A rectangular leather bag with crossed straps is often reconstructed for personal belongings or supplies. An alternative interpretation associates some depicted containers with carrying water; Marquita Volken examines it in The water bag of Roman soldiers (2008). The purpose and construction of every bag on the reliefs should not be presented as definitively established.
Leather object associated with a loculus reconstruction. Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Mainz; first–second century CE. Exact function remains interpretative.
Leather fragment tentatively identified as part of a loculus, first–second century CE.
Modern drawing of marching baggage depicted on Trajan’s Column; original relief, early second century CE.Reconstruction
Select an image and decide whether the reconstruction represents a bag for dry belongings or a proposed water container. Their openings, seams and sealing requirements differ. Crossed straps alone do not prove waterproofing.
Test the loaded bag and its attachment to a furca. Use a safe inner container for drinking water; modern sealing should not be presented as a documented ancient technique.
Modern reconstruction interpreting a loculus as a water container.
Modern reconstruction interpreting a loculus as a bag for grain.
Modern reconstruction interpreting a loculus as a bag for grain; another view.Related topics
Ancient military campaigns,Wallet,Trajan's Column
Literature and sources
- Marcus Junkelmann. Die Legionen des Augustus. Der römische Soldat im archäologischen Experiment. Mainz am Rhein, 2003.
- Marquita Volken. The water bag of Roman soldiers. JRA 21 (2008), 264–274.
- Polybius. Histories, VI.39: grain allowances, not a bag pattern.
- Historia Augusta. Avidius Cassius, V.3: carrying provisions; the text requires critical reading.
- Marquita Volken. The water bag of Roman soldiers. JRA 21 (2008), 264–274.
Marching baggage depicted on Trajan’s Column, Rome; early second century CE.
Leather fragment tentatively identified as part of a loculus, first–second century CE; another view.
Leather object associated with a loculus reconstruction. Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Mainz; first–second century CE.Interested in Ancient Rome beyond reading? Join Legio X Fretensis or explore our reenactment directions.
