A taste of Adrianople

While we're all sweltering in 100-degree temperatures during this heat wave, just imagine doing the following in this heat ...

Waking up in the predawn darkness in your tent.

Having your breakfast by a fire.

Marching for the next 8 hours.

Without a break, even for lunch.

In full chain or scale armor and helmets.

And leggings.

Carrying your shield, spear and big sword.

All in this heat.

Then, after all that, you have to fight a battle in which you're outnumbered.

In this heat.

Now you have some idea of the plight of the poor Roman soldiers at the Battle of Adrianople in AD 378.