Linothorax design/construction

[Dan Howard]

The second major question is whether to glue or quilt the linen. Experimental evidence suggests that quilting is superior in protection, and several very knowlegable persons have opined that glueing was never used. However, I hesitate to accept this as fact...mostly because of the huge body of artistic evidence.

Where? There isn't a single piece of artistic evidecne that can be interpreted as glued linen. Unless you can demonstrate that every illustration done over a period of several centuries were done by the same artist or at least obeyed the exact same conventions then this argument is flawed.

Glued layers of linen result in a much more rigid material (while still remaining at least somewhat flexible). Tests show this actually degrades the defensive properties, but IMO would have some advantages. Blows and impacts that did not penetrate the armor would be less likely to bruise, as it would spread and diffuse the impact trauma more.

There is absolutely no difference regarding blunt trauma while cuts and thrusts are resisted more effectively by quilting.

Finally, IMO stiffer armor would be more comfortable in the press of close order combat, especially if you subscribe to the theory of othismos (which I do!)

Not really. Glue negates one of the primary reasons for using linen in the first place. It allows the body to breathe. Gluing the layers together prevents the linen from wicking away sweat.