The soldiers of Ancient Rome used a variety of weaponry during battles for fighting and their own defense Helmets were used widely by Romans to protect the head. Ancient helmets were often referred to as Galea, and Roman helmets are generally favored compared to other helmets of the period. Iron and brass are a few examples of the metal that Romans used to create different types of battle helmets. Gladius, a sword, was a popular weapon employed by the Romans. It was short, and had a wide, curved shape. Roman Shields were produced with iron or copper, they also had different shapes such as round, rectangular, and oval. Body armour was used by Romans during wars to protect their body made mostly of iron and leather. A Dagger, which was a stiff and ornamental sword, was another roman weapon used by the legionnaires.