Linothorax vs Spolas

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

Bill, i would suggest you to read through ALL the threads here on RAT that covered the topic (they are at least 2 or 3) and in there you will find all the evidence and clues that both theories have to offer.
Dan isn't inclined to believe that both were used by the classical greeks for no reason. There is literary evidence that linen was used in the archaic(mid 6th century) and classical times (5th century). The poet Alkaios mentions line cuirasses hanging from the cealing of a great hall, together with shiny bronze greaves and other equipment. The poem is fragmentary unfortunately.
And there is a historian (can't remember who he is) who mentions that a greek city was preparing for a siege by supplying their citizens with spolades AND line cuirasses.
I am on the side of leather being the most usual matterial for the tube and yoke cuirasses, and as for the colour, there were ways to produce white leather, and Athens had a big trade of it. It was being used for sandals.
But we should be careful at being so definite.
Khaire
Giannis