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This is sounding very like the thoracomachus described in the De Rebus Bellicis, a thick cloth garment covered in Libyan hide to keep out the rain. The Libyan hide could have been put on over the cloth, or have been integral to it. Libyan hide makes me think of the goat skin garments worn by Libyans in the Punic wars, and the illustrations in the old WRG book. Graham Sumner's new "Roman Military Dress" takes another look at the thoracomachus.
One of the reasons why I favour glued laminated vegetable tanned leather is that it could be stuck together by it's own gelatins as done in India, or by dairy glues as in Europe to produce a stiff cuirass. No fish "super glues" required.
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Are dairy glues or any other natural kind that might've been used any more water-resistant than hide glue is? IIRC dairy glue has a lime element to it- if so, maybe that affects its solubility? Leather might respond a little better to waxing to seal it, but then the issue of the interior still remains if one is talking an outer 'skin' on layered linen. Two layers of leather might work- both flesh sides in, facing one another. But then is the glue really a significant element with leather? It can saturate fabric readily enough and does seem to make a significant difference, but I've never found it to permiate leather terribly well so is its presence enough to offset the issues?
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There is a Vey Old thread called "Greek glues" for those interested.
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Matt wrote:
Quote:The problem seems to stem from the observation that in many depictions the shoulder 'flaps' are up, thus suggesting the armour is flexible, which seems perfectly reasonable, and indeed multi-laminar glued linen is very good defense- but only when dry.
....this 'flexibility'/'springiness' is another assumption. I have asked elsewhere if the 'springiness/flexibility' is found in reproductions, only to get no response ( and there are a number of members who own recreated 'linthorakes' ). I have asked if the same visual effect - i.e. standing up -might not be caused by a fairly thick shoulder piece simply being thrown back, and not being 'springy' at all.......
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The problem I see with that theory is the images I have seen of the shoulder flaps standing up, are with the wearer involved in another task, i.e. fastening sandals or something. (Just from memory)
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The second image is clear evidence that some variants of this armour were double-breasted. It also shows that a regular tunic was worn underneath.
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All surviving examples of layered textile armour are quilted, from the European padded jack to the Indian Peti. There are hundreds of sources. Start with Robinson's Oriental Armour.
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Just wonder if that is a regular tunic or ifthe lines are supposed to represent a form of vertical quilting in the tunic?
See the way the bottom hem is shown? But then so is the female on the left's under dress..ah well.
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Quote:Libyan hide makes me think of the goat skin garments worn by Libyans in the Punic wars
Why not fleece or felt? Take a look at Ste Kenwright's post on myArmoury.com:
http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic ... 574#151574
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The very interesting discussions on the subject on RAT will soon lead you to Plutarch, who refers to Alexander wearing a quilted linen corselet on one occasion, captured from the Persians.
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