
How were the leather wrist braclets worn by Ancient Roman soldiers used?
Watching the HBO series Rome, I see that most of the men wore wrist bracelets. While some are decorative such as the ones worn by Mark Anthony, most seem to be simple leather. I assume they were used in some sort of defensive fighting fashion. Is this the case?
They are called "bracers" and functioned much as the name suggests. They provided support when fighting, so that the harsh blows they inflicted in battle with their swords didn't backfire and hurt their own wrists, which otherwise may have easily been sprained/broken if the sword made sudden, jolting contact with a metal shield, helmet, etc.
fight men vs a woman in a hard body leather.mp4
![]() |


£18.99






