I don't think it would be lamellar, not at that length anyway.
Lamellar scales are wired both vertically and horizontally, and a cuirass that long wouldn't move! Lamellar stops at the waist to allow the wearer to bend at the waist.
This depiction is too long to be lamellar IMHO
So how do you explain the existence of knee length lamellar corselets from Asia? They were fairly common. Lacing can be adjusted so that the horizontal rows are flexible.
Quote:So how do you explain the existence of knee length lamellar corselets from Asia?
But we're talking Roman, and all the depictions I 've seen are only to the waist.
Quote:http://www.geocities.com/normlaw/lam-fgt.gif
or this?
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4046 ... ongtb1.jpg
The first one's a definite no (lots of vertical lines there), but the second one's a yes provided it is lamellar and not long segmented plate.
[url:11xifqni]http://www.fabriziocaldarelli.net/illustrazioni4.jpg[/url]
[url:11xifqni]http://www.iranchamber.com/history/parthians/parthian_army.php[/url]
[url:11xifqni]http://163.238.8.180/~jshean/clibanarius.jpg[/url]
[url:11xifqni]http://163.238.8.180/~jshean/cataphra.jpg[/url]
added: [url:11xifqni]http://www.ccdemo.info/landabee/ChinaTripSlideShows/512x384/08SS-Wuhan1/slides/273D0140HorseArmor.html[/url]
Jim, is that horse armour bronze plate?
It's Chinese, so I suspect bronze? There are no other details, sorry :?
Quote:It's Chinese, so I suspect bronze? There are no other details, sorry :?
That is mighty strange armour. The most vulnerable parts of the horse are the chest and hindquarters and they are completely uncovered. Whereas the back is apparently armoured - an area that is normally protected by the saddle and rider.
Maybe some of it got lost? :?
Added: Oh, hang on, the horse's head seems somewhat restricted in the mouth area especially. Hmmm....
Just to note that Armamentarium states that there is no evidence the Romans ever used lamellar (I assume that doesn't include Byzantine):
[url:23200ng2]http://museums.ncl.ac.uk/archive/arma/welc/beginner/faq1.htm#armour3[/url]
I also can't find a single reference to a Roman foot soldier wearing lamellar at this time, only cavalry, and then only probably clibanarii.
It's a seg.
Or, enlighten us with an example of a Roman foot soldier wearing lamellar, and one that went below the waist, before the time this mosaic was made, please.
"Added: Oh, hang on, the horse's head seems somewhat restricted in the mouth area especially. Hmmm...."
Glad you mentioned that Tarb, I was thinking the horses head would be severely resricted by this armour! Poor horse!
Wow! Where does that guy come from!
hock:
BTW, the Dura leather cuisses are not lamellar, they are common scale, though laced.
Aitor
Wow, a Catephracti! Totally impressive!