Lorica Segmentata

[George N. M.]

Dear All,

I thought about posting this in historic blades but this is a defense against blades object rather than a blade itself.  They have found a nearly complete lorica segmentata at the battlefield of Teutoburger Forest (AD 9) in Germany.  Here is the link:  http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/59648#comments  (you may have to type the address in if it doesn't link directly).

By hammer and hand all arts do stand."

[ThomasPowers]

Thanks! (Though I wonder about the Lorica being "much more flexible than chainmail" as I can "pour"  my maille shirt.)

[George N. M.]

I suspect that it was more ease, cost, and time in manufacture.  How many million rings would you need to manufacture mail shirts for a legion and how long would it take to equip a legion?  Even in the field repair to plate armor would be easier than having to repair and relink mail.  Probably the same is true for scale armor (lorica squamata).  It's one thing to put lots of time and money into custom armor production for an individual and another to produce thousands of munition grade armor.

"By hammer and hand all arts do stand."

[ThomasPowers]

I'd say cost in time.  Maille is very time intensive---just making the wire; especially when going from bronze to real wrought iron---which doesn't draw as easily and is abrasive on drawplates!

[Frosty]

Interesting blog article if thin on details, pics, etc. The comment about flexibility makes me wonder what the author thinks chain maille is. 

Thanks for the link George.

Frosty The Lucky.