03-29-2007, 06:16 PM
I came across a passage that reads as follows:
Any clues as to which species of sea sponge would be best?
Some candidates I've come across: Sea wool; Elephant ear; Mediterranean Zimoca Silk.
Quote:OCREA (κνημίς), a greave, a leggin. A pair of greaves (κνημῖδες) was one of the six articles of armour which formed the complete equipment of a Greek or Etruscan warrior [Arma], and likewise of a Roman soldier as fixed by Servius Tullius (Liv. I.43). They were made of bronze (Alcaeus, Frag. i ed. Matthiae), of brass (Hes. Scut. 122), of tin (Hom. Il. XVIII.612, XXI.592), or of silver and gold (Virg. Aen. VII.634, VIII.624, XI.488), with a lining probably of leather, felt, or cloth. Another method of fitting them to the leg so as not to hurt it, was by the interposition of that kind of sponge which was also used for the lining of helmets [Galea], and which Aristotle describes as being remarkable for thinness, density, and firmness. "
William Smith, D.C.L., LL.D.:
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875.
Any clues as to which species of sea sponge would be best?
Some candidates I've come across: Sea wool; Elephant ear; Mediterranean Zimoca Silk.