02-26-2009, 12:51 AM
Dan,
>most likely material from which it was made was multiple layers of linen
This is where I have to disagree with you Dan. In order to assert, as you do, that the "most likely" material for a thorakes was multiple layers of linen (I'm glad to see you drop the question of quilting) you have to make a lot of assumptions that don't have facts to back them up. What we can say for certain is a possible material for a thorakes is layered linen. But to jump to "most likely" you need a wealth of evidence that simply doesn't exist. One of Prof Eero Jarva's theses in "Archaic Greek Body Armour" is that leather is a possible material for non-metallic armour as well as linen for a number of reasons that have been echoed here: cost, extensive local leather industry, and so forth.
And if the scholars aren't willing to weigh in with certainty, its irresponsible for us as amateur interpreters of history to do so, as we're failing in our role as educators.
Certainty also prevents people from thinking, researching, and trying different things that may advance our knowledge or eliminate possibilities.
A good example is your comment:
"Even if it is leather backed scale, how can this possibly be classed as leather armour?"
Considering the best preserved scale armour from the period at the met is leather scales laced to a leather backing, its pretty certain they are leather armour. Which opens up another possibility for our interpretation of the thorakes... a leather thorakes with leather scales...
Thanks,
Cole
>most likely material from which it was made was multiple layers of linen
This is where I have to disagree with you Dan. In order to assert, as you do, that the "most likely" material for a thorakes was multiple layers of linen (I'm glad to see you drop the question of quilting) you have to make a lot of assumptions that don't have facts to back them up. What we can say for certain is a possible material for a thorakes is layered linen. But to jump to "most likely" you need a wealth of evidence that simply doesn't exist. One of Prof Eero Jarva's theses in "Archaic Greek Body Armour" is that leather is a possible material for non-metallic armour as well as linen for a number of reasons that have been echoed here: cost, extensive local leather industry, and so forth.
And if the scholars aren't willing to weigh in with certainty, its irresponsible for us as amateur interpreters of history to do so, as we're failing in our role as educators.
Certainty also prevents people from thinking, researching, and trying different things that may advance our knowledge or eliminate possibilities.
A good example is your comment:
"Even if it is leather backed scale, how can this possibly be classed as leather armour?"
Considering the best preserved scale armour from the period at the met is leather scales laced to a leather backing, its pretty certain they are leather armour. Which opens up another possibility for our interpretation of the thorakes... a leather thorakes with leather scales...
Thanks,
Cole
Cole
