Roman uniform costume

Another cool find is this screen used Roman costume, these uniforms appeared in the series with different variants during season 2-6.

 

The costume includes a heavy leather riveted cuirass, red rustic fabric shirt, red rustic fabric skirt, woven garnet cape, leather boots and a pair of leather gauntlets. We are familiar with the leather cuirass variant that reminds me the leather cuirass worn by Xena in the episode “A good day” from season. 4.

It is interesting to see that the shirts and skirts design were modified during the series evolution and historical periods. 

 

The early design in Caesar’s empire was a reddish rustic fabric shirt and a very simple skirt with an elastic band to adjust to the waist. 

However, Livia’s army soldiers used a much more sophisticated design in shirts and skirts. In this case, they are made of pale linen fabric with a red satin ribbon around. The pleated skirt has some painted decorative motifs too.

The linen shirt and skirt have a tag inside that is written: “Senetus” (Livia’s commander) and was seen in the episode “Eve” from season 5.

Some costumes are just resurfacing after more than 25 years after the series ended. Many of them had never appeared before, I am happy they are back thanks to some research I have made in recent years.

Here some details of the roman costume.

Xena's Roman lady costume

“For once, Xena, I’d like to be the Roman noble and you the slave” Gabrielle. “Legacy” season 6.

Xena’s hero Roman lady costume worn by Lucy Lawless herself in the episode “Legacy” from season 6. Xena appeared with this roman “high class” wardrobe and Gabrielle as her slave to visit a roman governor with the purpose of getting information for the nomads.

 

  

“I am Fasmia— wife of Cypio Africanus the fifth.  I assume you’ve heard of my family.” said Xena.

The costume includes a silk fabric top with a belt attached on the front, silk fabric skirt, a pair of leather sandals, three necklaces and four rings. I love the silk fabric with oriental reminiscents, the golden belt and all these jewelry used in this wardrobe.

The costume includes the It’s A Wrap! COA. The seller told me the costume is in the same condition that was bought 20 years ago in the official “It’s a Wrap!” auction.

The costume didn’t include the golden bracelets, these are a pair of Gabby’s from her India outfit.

Screen captures:

Brutus's set used Costume

 “Ave, Brutus. You know, you’re in a queen’s bedchamber.” Xena.

Here is the Brutus costume worn by David Franklin in the episode “When Fates Collide” from season 6. Probably the Brutus costume version more accurate of all seen on screen.

In this case, it is a full complete wardrobe used by the actor, no stunt pieces. Mostly all the costumes were sold separately in the Turner’s auction, the main wardrobes came to one place, the boots, cuffs, jewelry, swords to other places, so it is an achievement to have the full costume with every single piece together. 

 

  

The costume includes about 13 pieces: the red shirt, undershorts (not visible), pants (not visible), skirt, leather boots, knee pads, belt, metal hammered armour, red velvet cape, neck scarf, metal cuffs, leather scabbard and set used double lion head sword that I already got.

  

I really fall in love with the gold/silver metal cuffs, there are really heavy and detailed. I have made a bit of research and these pair of metal cuffs were used by Octavius in season 5 and also appeared in “The god you know” from season 6 worn by the Roman captain at the beginning.

Maybe, the red velvet cape is familiar to you, they used the same velvet fabric of the Gabrielle hero season 6 costume, a very special shimmering velvet which has a different shade depending in the light.

Photos and screen captures:

Screen Used Roman Dagger

Screen used Roman style dagger used by Draco played by Jay Laga’aia in the first episode “Sins of the past” and seen in the series used by the roman soldiers. 

Also, this dagger style was used by Gabrielle played by Renée O’Connor to protect a paralyzed Xena from the roman guards in “Ides of March” from season 4, before the crucifixion in the Appenines roman prison. This dagger is made of resin and the painting is still intact, it is in mint condition. It comes with COA and it is described as “Draco’s Dagger”.

Handle close-up.

Blade close-up.

 

A few years ago I had one roman dagger that the blade was made by soft foam but I needed to sell it. So I’m so proud to have it back in my collection.

Dagger's COA and papers.

Photos and screencaps for references: