10-11-2016, 10:04 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-11-2016, 10:16 PM by Paullus Scipio.)
Ah! The panoply of King Seuthes III of Thrace (331 - c.300 BC), whose intact and unplundered tomb was found in 2004. Unusually, the tomb was converted from a 5 C temple. I was tempted to post this example myself, but chose in the end to post gorgets alone, for clarity.
This cavalryman's panoply displays other features of Xenophon's recoommendations also. Here is the section in its entirety :
Xen Art of Horsemanship XII"
"We say, then, that in the first place his breastplate must be made to fit his body. For the wellfitting breastplate is supported by the whole body, whereas one that is too loose is supported by the shoulders only, and one that is too tight is rather an encumbrance than a defence. And, since the neck is one of the vital parts, we hold that a covering should be available for it also, standing up from the breastplate itself and shaped to the neck. For this will serve as an ornament, and at the same time, if properly made, will cover the rider's face, when he pleases, as high as the nose. For the helmet we consider the Boeotian pattern the most satisfactory: for this, again, affords the best protection to all the parts that project above the breastplate without obstructing the sight. As for the pattern of the breastplate, it should be so shaped as not to prevent the wearer from sitting down or stooping. About the abdomen and middle and round that region let the flaps be of such material and such a size that they will keep out missiles. And as a wound in the left hand disables the rider, we also recommend the piece of armour invented for it called the “hand.” For it protects the shoulder, the arm, the elbow, and the fingers that hold the reins; it will also extend and fold up; and in addition it covers the gap left by the breastplate under the armpit. But the right hand must be raised when the man intends to fling his javelin or strike a blow. Consequently that portion of the breastplate that hinders him in doing that should be removed; and in place of it there should be detachable flaps at the joints, in order that, when the arm is elevated, they may open correspondingly, and may close when it is lowered. For the fore-arm it seems to us that the piece put over it separately like a greave is better than one that is bound up together with a piece of armour. The part that is left exposed when the right arm is raised should be covered near the breastplate with calf-skin or metal; otherwise the most vital part will be unprotected. "
The scale covered leather Tube-and-Yoke corselet displays modifications to the right shoulder piece, very similar to those Xenophon advocates. The gorget is referred to also. It should be remembered that the gorget rested on the 'epomides'/shoulder pieces, and so sat quite high, and thus the gorget would reach the base of the nose and cover the mouth. Also mentioned are the 'pteryges'/flaps being extra large, which we also see on Seuthes corselet ( see diagram below). Of course, this panoply doesn't include all Xenophon's recommendations, but sufficient to say Seuthes corselet is of this type. Note that originally, the semi circular cutouts ( for flexibility) were covered by discs made of scale....
Also interesting is that Xenophon describes what sounds very like a Roman 'manica'/hand to protect the left or rein hand and arm., while a solid forearm guard 'like a greave' is recommended for the right arm.
I disagee with Dan that these gorgets were not suitable for cavalry ( perhaps Dan was envisaging something different?), for they were clearly worn, and 15 c mediaeval knights managed wearing a bevor and sallet which restricted vision much more.....
This cavalryman's panoply displays other features of Xenophon's recoommendations also. Here is the section in its entirety :
Xen Art of Horsemanship XII"
"We say, then, that in the first place his breastplate must be made to fit his body. For the wellfitting breastplate is supported by the whole body, whereas one that is too loose is supported by the shoulders only, and one that is too tight is rather an encumbrance than a defence. And, since the neck is one of the vital parts, we hold that a covering should be available for it also, standing up from the breastplate itself and shaped to the neck. For this will serve as an ornament, and at the same time, if properly made, will cover the rider's face, when he pleases, as high as the nose. For the helmet we consider the Boeotian pattern the most satisfactory: for this, again, affords the best protection to all the parts that project above the breastplate without obstructing the sight. As for the pattern of the breastplate, it should be so shaped as not to prevent the wearer from sitting down or stooping. About the abdomen and middle and round that region let the flaps be of such material and such a size that they will keep out missiles. And as a wound in the left hand disables the rider, we also recommend the piece of armour invented for it called the “hand.” For it protects the shoulder, the arm, the elbow, and the fingers that hold the reins; it will also extend and fold up; and in addition it covers the gap left by the breastplate under the armpit. But the right hand must be raised when the man intends to fling his javelin or strike a blow. Consequently that portion of the breastplate that hinders him in doing that should be removed; and in place of it there should be detachable flaps at the joints, in order that, when the arm is elevated, they may open correspondingly, and may close when it is lowered. For the fore-arm it seems to us that the piece put over it separately like a greave is better than one that is bound up together with a piece of armour. The part that is left exposed when the right arm is raised should be covered near the breastplate with calf-skin or metal; otherwise the most vital part will be unprotected. "
The scale covered leather Tube-and-Yoke corselet displays modifications to the right shoulder piece, very similar to those Xenophon advocates. The gorget is referred to also. It should be remembered that the gorget rested on the 'epomides'/shoulder pieces, and so sat quite high, and thus the gorget would reach the base of the nose and cover the mouth. Also mentioned are the 'pteryges'/flaps being extra large, which we also see on Seuthes corselet ( see diagram below). Of course, this panoply doesn't include all Xenophon's recommendations, but sufficient to say Seuthes corselet is of this type. Note that originally, the semi circular cutouts ( for flexibility) were covered by discs made of scale....
Also interesting is that Xenophon describes what sounds very like a Roman 'manica'/hand to protect the left or rein hand and arm., while a solid forearm guard 'like a greave' is recommended for the right arm.
I disagee with Dan that these gorgets were not suitable for cavalry ( perhaps Dan was envisaging something different?), for they were clearly worn, and 15 c mediaeval knights managed wearing a bevor and sallet which restricted vision much more.....
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
