Linothorax vs Quilted linen vs spolas

[John Conyard]

I find these discussions of the nature of the tube and yoke cuirass fascinating. But suspect that without further literary references or any archaeological evidence experimental archaeology can only offer theories.

I can "sign up" to quilted linen used by Alexander and beyond.

And I can sign up to the idea of leather armour in some form. But I suspect we are being unimaginative in terms of how the "leather" was made. Our own experience channels us towards buff, alum, vegetable tanned etc. But there must have been many different ways of preparing leather for armour. This is beyond my usual reading, but David Nicolle in a "Companion to Medieval Arms and Armour" XIII 179-221 (Boydell Press 2002) gives interesting later examples of leather armour production. These include the use of leather or rawhide scrapings, laminated glued leather and the use of milk and soda. Tawed leather from alum makes some interesting appearances. I suspect Kineas may be at the forefront of a trend.