Greaves and Vambraces in the rank and file

[MARCVS PETRONIVS MAIVS]

Yuri,

There is evidence for the manica in the first century AD, prior to the Dacian wars. In this period it is also depicted at the Rhine limes, so it certainly wasn't always associated with the Dacian falx.

You can read about this in this excellent article (written by Caballo):

Yep, I have read it already. Its very informative alright, and helps dispel the notion the manica came only during the dacian wars.

On greaves: there is indeed little hard evidence for greaves on rank and file in the first century AD. But I feel that some would have been in use for sure. The legs are often very vurnarable, especially the legs of the front rank in a moving testudo!
I will sometimes wear a pair of short greaves, like the ones depicted on the Adamklissi metopes, with my first century impression. Perhaps coupled with a manica if I feel like going 'robocop'.

Vale,
Jef

I like to imagine an entire armoured first cohort with manica, greaves, etc hehe. Would have been a pretty effective corps me thinks 8)