Leather Cuirass

[D B Campbell]

Xenophon and others refer to the Spolas and all agree that this refers to a leather garment/armour worn over the torso, in particular by Spartans/Lakedaemonians.

Apologies for butting in at the eleventh hour ...
Can someone explain to me why we think the spolas is a leather garment?

As far as I can see, one of Aristophanes' characters wears one over his chiton and is ridiculed for suggesting that it might be worn next to the skin (suggesting that it required an undergarment -- but was this for reasons of comfort, or fashion?). (Arist., Birds 944)

Xenophon records that a band of horsemen were sent out "and spolades and thôrakes were provided to them". Should we assume that each man got both garments -- a spolas to wear with his thôrax? Or were some equipped with one, and some with the other? (Xen., Anabasis 3.3.20)

And finally, Xenophon mentions a Laconian who was shot in the ribs by a long Kardouchian arrow which went "through the shield and the spolas". Did the man think he was sufficiently protected (i.e., was the spolas considered to be "armour" of some kind) or was he travelling light (i.e., was the spolas normally an undergarment)? (Xen., Anabasis 4.1.18)

Any enlightenment would be gratefully received.