Caliga
The Roman legionary’s hobnailed sandal-boot.
The caliga was the sandal that Roman soldiers wore on the march. The sole had iron nails that gave grip and lasted long, and the shoe could be laced tight over the ankle.
Finds from Vindolanda by Hadrian’s Wall in northern England show what the shoe looked like. The shoe gave the emperor Caligula his name, which means little boot.
Materials: Leather, iron nails
Manufacture: Sewn from several layers of leather with iron hobnails in the sole, laced with straps over the foot.
The sole with closely set iron nails.
The straps that go over the foot.
The open toe and heel.