03-25-2007, 05:21 AM
Quote:In 'Roman Military Clothing 3' there was a reconstruction of a late Roman Senator wearing leather armour based on finds from Ballana in Nubia.
You know, I forgot that this thread was titled "Leather Armor". My argument was / is much more limited to leather musculata, which has to do more with semantics. If leather musculate existed, I dispute the assumption that it was used as armor. To me, it would seem to be a costume, or dress / parade uniform.
I don't dispute the existence of leather lamellar. It seems to be very effective and flexible because of the layering effect.
Anyway, back to the book : Was Nubia ever part of the Empire at some point ? Your caption says it was probably made in Egypt, but is this supposition ?
Let's assume it's from Roman Egypt for the moment. (It sure is irritating when archaeologists give themselves a wide window when dating an artifact. The leather fragments in question could date from the reign of Constantine or as late as the reign of Justinian. Almost a 300 year span to play with.)
But putting that aside, the garment (which is what it looks like to me) doesn't look like it can take a blow like leather lamellar can. Is this leather merely assumed to be "armor" or could it be a fancy costume like the crocodile suit ? (incidentally they're both from Egypt)
~Theo
Jaime