Linothorax vs Spolas

[PMBardunias]

The piece of evidence that to me clinches the notion that both linen and leather were in use within the greater greek world, if perhaps not commonly on the mainland, is a quote from Aneas Tacticus (29.1-4). In describing how weapons could be smuggled into a city to aid in revolt by partisans, he tells us that "thorakes lineoi, Spoladia, perikephalaia, hopla, knemides,..." can be hidden and smuggled in. Now, Thorakes lineoi is clearly a corslet, and I and others have argued that Spoladia are not cloaks as is commonly translated, but leather corslets. The greeks of this period did not make use of any sort of subarmalis, so an undergarment of linen is not likely.

Those Delian treasury lists appear to mention both as well.

As Giannis wrote, you need to read our earlier threads on this, because it is the best discussion you will find on the topic in any form. If you'd like a summary, Jasper asked me to write an article on this debate back in Vol. IV, issue 3 of Ancient Warfare, that was largely a homage to the debates, and debaters, here on RAT.