01-05-2006, 01:01 PM
So what are you thinking, Duncan? That this type of armour wasn't known as a linothorax and that it was, in fact, made of leather or that it wasn't known as a linothorax and was, in fact, made of metal?
I favour the "linen linothorax" argument myself, but I can see an argument for the same item being produced in leather or a combination of leather and linen.
I'm against the metal theory on the grounds that it seems an odd way to design metal armour - and metal armour in styles better suited to metalwork was already available, so why force the material into this awkward construction method? Okay, Philip had it done, but I'd guess he wanted to give the appearance of dressing like everyone else, while having extra protection to surprise would-be assassins. This would be a good way to find out who your friends aren't, before you die.
Another reason is the art; those stiffly upstanding straps from the epomides don't look like hinged metal.
You mention a lack of references to linen armour in the literature of the Classical Period; are there references to leather body armour? Are there references to metal armour that don't relate to the usual cuirass types?
I favour the "linen linothorax" argument myself, but I can see an argument for the same item being produced in leather or a combination of leather and linen.
I'm against the metal theory on the grounds that it seems an odd way to design metal armour - and metal armour in styles better suited to metalwork was already available, so why force the material into this awkward construction method? Okay, Philip had it done, but I'd guess he wanted to give the appearance of dressing like everyone else, while having extra protection to surprise would-be assassins. This would be a good way to find out who your friends aren't, before you die.
Another reason is the art; those stiffly upstanding straps from the epomides don't look like hinged metal.
You mention a lack of references to linen armour in the literature of the Classical Period; are there references to leather body armour? Are there references to metal armour that don't relate to the usual cuirass types?
