Canakkale Persian armour reconstruction

[Duncan Head]

My suspicion is that the akinakes does hang from a belt, but it's not the belt that's visible over the cuirass. I suspect that in addition to the straps round the leg, the sheath was suspended from a second belt worn under the cuirass. I think I can just make out, in the detail photograph, an asymmetry to the fittings around the scabbard-mouth, which indicates an "ear" fitting - smaller than that on the Persepolis representations - disappearing up under the pteruges.

The armour and helmet are similar to styles shown on Persian seals, worn by warriors both on horseback and on foot, but I have never seen them in any larger artistic format until this sarcophagus turned up.

cheers,
Duncan