Linothorax vs Quilted linen vs spolas

[John Conyard]

Archaeological finds will always form the basis for any reconstruction, and lacking these finds reconstructing the tube and yoke will always be difficult. It is possible to use iconography and written evidence to support physical finds. And in this case iconography and various written sources are all we have. Period art styles contain a wealth of hidden messages and artistic conventions. Period representations of soldiers must be viewed with “period” sensibilities that are beyond most of us, me included.

This is what makes reconstructing these armours so challenging to me. And I think we have come a long way in terms of materials and patterns used.

I would like to know about more about the scales, the arrangement of holes, and the lacing/wiring methods. I fear I know nothing about Hellenistic scales. This could tell us a bit more about if the armour needed to be lined, or if scale panels were made up separately and then applied to the tube itself. The scales could tell us if the armour was intended rigid or flexible. I appreciate there is another thread considering scales.