Did the roman legionaries wear red like Hollywood shows us? As I understand it the roman soldiers had to pay for their own armor and weapons when joining the army and red was an expensive color back then. So did even the plebs that joined the army wear red or is this just something that pop-culture has made up? Similar to the myth that vikings wore horns.
These threads might interest you:
In almost all modern depictions of Roman legionnaire, he is shown in red. A red tunic, red-colored shield, or with red crest on the helmet. Is this accurate or is it modern convention? by /u/Iguana_on_a_stick
Throughout popular culture, roman soldiers are depicted wearing red uniforms and capes. Is there any evidence to support this? by /u/Astrogator