03-23-2004, 02:39 PM
A more accurate answer would be "yes and no".<br>
The linothorax had to provide a decent level of protection or else the hoplites would not have used them.<br>
Having recently made a test patch of linothorax from 16 layers of 7 oz. canvas and Elmer's glue I can say that it's tough stuff. I tried to pierce it with a pair of tin snips and large kitchen knife and it BARLEY went through the first 2-3 layers.<br>
Now a spear has more mass and may have more force behind it but there is a significant amount of protection.<br>
On the other hand, spearmen, swordsmen and archers are trained to exploit weaknesses in armor so they'll be aiming for the open areas like the forearm, thigh,armpit and the "vitals" which is a polite term for one's manhood.<br>
My belief is that since so many acient texts were translated many centuries later by uptight western-Europeans that they may have done some editing and used "belly" as a replacement.<br>
Just my opinion. Hope it helps <p></p><i></i>
The linothorax had to provide a decent level of protection or else the hoplites would not have used them.<br>
Having recently made a test patch of linothorax from 16 layers of 7 oz. canvas and Elmer's glue I can say that it's tough stuff. I tried to pierce it with a pair of tin snips and large kitchen knife and it BARLEY went through the first 2-3 layers.<br>
Now a spear has more mass and may have more force behind it but there is a significant amount of protection.<br>
On the other hand, spearmen, swordsmen and archers are trained to exploit weaknesses in armor so they'll be aiming for the open areas like the forearm, thigh,armpit and the "vitals" which is a polite term for one's manhood.<br>
My belief is that since so many acient texts were translated many centuries later by uptight western-Europeans that they may have done some editing and used "belly" as a replacement.<br>
Just my opinion. Hope it helps <p></p><i></i>
