07-27-2004, 07:54 PM
The lack of physical evidence does not mean that lamellar was not used by the Romans. This type of armour had been in use for centuries before there was a Roman army and was certainly used by the successors to the Romans, including the Byzantine military.<br>
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There are some examples of lamellar in Roman and contemporary artwork including sculptures from which much of the academic knowledge of the Roman armour has been derived.<br>
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The Romans borrowed extensively from neighbouring cultures and often improved upon the original material. Mail was (is) often credited to the Gauls, although the Romans certainly were prolific in the manufacturing and employment of this type of armour for centuries.<br>
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Lamellar is one of the types of armour that lends itself to being made from a variety of materials such as metal, leather, and wood. Armour made from crocodile hide is attributed to the Romans so it is quite possible that the Romans used a variety of non-metallic materials in the manufacture of armour.<br>
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<p></p><i></i>
<br>
There are some examples of lamellar in Roman and contemporary artwork including sculptures from which much of the academic knowledge of the Roman armour has been derived.<br>
<br>
The Romans borrowed extensively from neighbouring cultures and often improved upon the original material. Mail was (is) often credited to the Gauls, although the Romans certainly were prolific in the manufacturing and employment of this type of armour for centuries.<br>
<br>
Lamellar is one of the types of armour that lends itself to being made from a variety of materials such as metal, leather, and wood. Armour made from crocodile hide is attributed to the Romans so it is quite possible that the Romans used a variety of non-metallic materials in the manufacture of armour.<br>
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<p></p><i></i>
