06-09-2008, 08:55 AM
The variety of military equipment we see in icons throughout the empire's long existence is staggering. Everything from a simple mail shirt to the rather complex armour shown above. However, examples of the cuirass with separate skirt and (sometimes) sleeves appear across the empire's domains from different periods and also in later Serbian depictions of military saints.
One can examine the curious armour from the tenth century murals in the Goreme Valley: www.geocities.com/egfroth/Dovecote.html
Most of the saints appear to have separate armoured skirts.
See below this fantastical Serbian example of three saints which shares much in common with the Saint Prokopios icon from Egypt.
I've included a depiction from the Paleologan period (note the soldier on the left, who appears to wear no padding under his armour, only a tunic).
The most interesting aspect of the Saint Prokopios icon above is that it illustrates how these separate pieces of armour may have been attached to the cuirass.
Cheers
One can examine the curious armour from the tenth century murals in the Goreme Valley: www.geocities.com/egfroth/Dovecote.html
Most of the saints appear to have separate armoured skirts.
See below this fantastical Serbian example of three saints which shares much in common with the Saint Prokopios icon from Egypt.
I've included a depiction from the Paleologan period (note the soldier on the left, who appears to wear no padding under his armour, only a tunic).
The most interesting aspect of the Saint Prokopios icon above is that it illustrates how these separate pieces of armour may have been attached to the cuirass.
Cheers
Adam
