08-30-2016, 12:45 AM
Segmentata was the cheapest form of metal armour available and soldiers had to pay for their own armour. So it became popular despite its shortcomings. During the Diocletian reforms the state took over the armour fabricas and standardised armour production. They chose to focus on mail and so segmentata was phased out.
Author: Bronze Age Military Equipment, Pen & Sword Books