Our brightly colored Red Cotton Roman Tunic copies the standard issue to the Roman legions from the days of the Republic to the end of the Empire (around 400 A.D.). Worn under armor or by itself, the simple lines of this tunic are classic and lend themselves to many combinations of clothing from later periods of history. This oversized tunic extends to mid-thigh, giving it a distinctive look. Romans took the color of these tunics from the Spartan’s red cloaks as later did the English army. Spartans wore red so that their enemies would never see them bleed.