10-06-2014, 10:12 AM
At the risk of further groundless speculation (!), there is another possibility of explaining these 'cap sleeves', which I think has been mentioned on here before: might a metal cuirass have been covered with a decorative layer of thin fabric or leather, and this covering extended over the shoulders to form a flexible cap?
We might assume that a shiny metal surface would have been far preferable and more attractive, but the Romans had odd tastes in many things... and the covering might have protected the metal. Why the 'sleeves'? Maybe just to hold the pterugues in place on the upper arms, and stop them splaying upwards with the pressure of the cuirass? :dizzy:
We might assume that a shiny metal surface would have been far preferable and more attractive, but the Romans had odd tastes in many things... and the covering might have protected the metal. Why the 'sleeves'? Maybe just to hold the pterugues in place on the upper arms, and stop them splaying upwards with the pressure of the cuirass? :dizzy:
Nathan Ross
