12-19-2006, 09:14 PM
The thing with this is that if you use hanging lamellar (at least per Tim Dawson's reconstruction) there's enough vertical flex in the armour that this gap wouldn't be needed.
I made a klivanion to Tim's design, and it's incredibly flexible. No problem bending at the waist - the layers overlap beautifully. If, on the other hand, the corselet was rigid, I can see a better case for the gap.
Still freaks me out, though. And anyhow, in Western Europe in the age of plate, rigid breastplates covered right down to the waist without hindering the wearer from bending over. So why would the Romans not be able to solve the same problem? Not as if they didn't have time to work out a solution, is it?
I made a klivanion to Tim's design, and it's incredibly flexible. No problem bending at the waist - the layers overlap beautifully. If, on the other hand, the corselet was rigid, I can see a better case for the gap.
Still freaks me out, though. And anyhow, in Western Europe in the age of plate, rigid breastplates covered right down to the waist without hindering the wearer from bending over. So why would the Romans not be able to solve the same problem? Not as if they didn't have time to work out a solution, is it?
"It is safer and more advantageous to overcome the enemy by planning and generalship than by sheer force"
The Strategikon of Emperor Maurice
Steven Lowe
Australia
The Strategikon of Emperor Maurice
Steven Lowe
Australia