[split] Phalanx warfare: use of the spear

[Dan Howard]

Certainly I think everyone realises that leather needs to be much thicker to provide a similar level of protection, but not necessarily heavier, as both the calculated estimate of Crispianus

His calculated estimate is only for 8mm, which is half the thickness you need to provide similar protection to 1mm bronze plate. So a spolas needs to weigh closer to 15-16 lbs to provide similar protection to a 8-9 lb bronze cuirass (assuming two layers on the front only). The 15 pound bronze cuirasses are over 1.5mm, which would require 4 thicknesses of leather for equivalent protection, bringing its weight over 20 lbs.