Leather Cuirass

[Magnus]

If the emperors were naked, then I would agree that idealization was at work. However, we know that muscled cuirasses were actually worn, so I don't think that wearing them is really idealization.

How is them being naked have anything to do with them being idolized and thus shown to be perfect in art? Do you really think they were that godlike in appearance in real life? Come on.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Okay, stop right there. What you have here is purely artistic evidence which is supplemented by speculation. There is no archaeological evidence involved unless you have found some full pteruges. You are applying practical knowledge (protective capabilities of linen vs. leather) to the matter, but you are still not drawing from anything other than artistis sources.

We have MULTIPLE sources, god knows how many of renditions of pteryges. Have they been found in the archaeological record? No, but unlike your example of the parisian archer and this thread, I can back mine up with dozens and dozens of pictures of them, from Adamklissi, to grave stele's from all over the empire.

THEN I can also prove without a doubt that linen was used extensively in antiquity by both greek and roman militaries as a form of armour. We know they used linen. We know they wore pteryges. Gee...1 + 1 = 2.

I think the problem here is that you're so convinced about this piece, that you can't be shown otherwise. I see now why I was sarcastic in my other posts, it's because you dont' listen! I've told you time and time again that if you can procure a 2nd source for the use of leather as musculata, then do so! I'd be the first one to say you were right, if you had some kind of evidence. But you don't!!! You have a theory based on speculation and guesses, without ANY logic to it AT ALL!

Not to mention you seem to skip over most of my information, and just pick and chose what you want to attack based on what you percieve to be holes in my logic. But remember, I'm not the one saying the romans used leather as musculata! You are...and you've done absolutely nothing to prove it! So keep being ignorant of that fact...I can't help you with that. Sorry!