10-10-2009, 06:52 PM
We have been over much of this ground before. I agree with Byron (sorry Byron 
D ). I wore it for a full day fully kitted out on several occasions and there is no undue buildup of heat. This is no disqualification for those wearing a linothorayx under a curas, with sewn and ornate pteruges, there is a LOT of sculptural evidence for that. I believe what was worn under a curas would be predominantly linen, under a hamata a leather padded subarmalis would be great (but padded linen also equaly acceptable). Now, on leather armour as such, there is one very great disadvantage and that is when someone takes a shot, a good stab or a proper swing at you, it cuts like butter! This is not so for rawhide, that is a pretty tough cookie to penetrate.
A curass, by the way, is a very ornamental piece of "armour" worn by higher officers, as evident from much iconographic evidence. I do not rule out a muscle curass for ornimental purpose to have been made of thick, molded leather. It is even possible to "metal" leather by impregnating it with copper, as is done when you want your kid's first shoes silvered. Given the thickness of some surviving metal curass, these also offer only limited protection and will dent or be rent by a serious blow. A curass made for battle and made of good steel sheet however gives excellent protection to your vitals.
I would ask salimbeti to enter into forum discussions in a more down-toned manner, as the "TRUTH" is very much a matter of perspective lacking solid archeological evidence. Having read a book does not make one an expert, having read a hunderd gives one an insight, but no more then that. I have seen interpretations of finds which boggle the mind to think scientists of reputation could have gotten things so very wrong. The only way we can progress in the search of knowledge is to keep an open mind and to also use our common sense. We may not know the mindset of the Romans, but be sure they wanted to survive any clash as much as you or I would. That is a universal human trait and one of the main reasons our species still walks this planet.
D ). I wore it for a full day fully kitted out on several occasions and there is no undue buildup of heat. This is no disqualification for those wearing a linothorayx under a curas, with sewn and ornate pteruges, there is a LOT of sculptural evidence for that. I believe what was worn under a curas would be predominantly linen, under a hamata a leather padded subarmalis would be great (but padded linen also equaly acceptable). Now, on leather armour as such, there is one very great disadvantage and that is when someone takes a shot, a good stab or a proper swing at you, it cuts like butter! This is not so for rawhide, that is a pretty tough cookie to penetrate. A curass, by the way, is a very ornamental piece of "armour" worn by higher officers, as evident from much iconographic evidence. I do not rule out a muscle curass for ornimental purpose to have been made of thick, molded leather. It is even possible to "metal" leather by impregnating it with copper, as is done when you want your kid's first shoes silvered. Given the thickness of some surviving metal curass, these also offer only limited protection and will dent or be rent by a serious blow. A curass made for battle and made of good steel sheet however gives excellent protection to your vitals.
I would ask salimbeti to enter into forum discussions in a more down-toned manner, as the "TRUTH" is very much a matter of perspective lacking solid archeological evidence. Having read a book does not make one an expert, having read a hunderd gives one an insight, but no more then that. I have seen interpretations of finds which boggle the mind to think scientists of reputation could have gotten things so very wrong. The only way we can progress in the search of knowledge is to keep an open mind and to also use our common sense. We may not know the mindset of the Romans, but be sure they wanted to survive any clash as much as you or I would. That is a universal human trait and one of the main reasons our species still walks this planet.
