So I'm reading the Commentaries of Caesar and it seems that Caesar had free reign in what he could give his legions in terms of arms. So, I began to wonder about how I would have equiped the legions in Gaul and elsewhere knowing what I know today.
Of course, the equipment has to be contemporary, no HK G36Cs with hard, bulletproof body armor and flamethrowers.
Anyways here's what I came up with:
My legionnaires would be equiped with armor similar to that worn by a 10th century Norman knight. I would throw out the chainmail at the legs though.
The scutum would be replaced with a small metal buckler, the diameter of the wrist to the elbow.
The pilum would be forgotten and be replaced with a polearm, one with a six foot shaft and a crossblade, kind of like a halbred.
The sword I would keep, except I would make it longer and thinner, much like a spartha.
Kind of silly exercise I realize but I'm on break and I have nothing better to do!