linothorax and other white cuirases

[Bryan]

Bryan wrote:
So linothorax was stone? Or laminated wooden planks like a scutum?

The clue is not the materials but the glues used, and the "lamination" concept.

Bryan wrote:
We know shields needed covers to protect them from the elements, as the glue would dissolve and the shield would fall apart.

This is not so clear. Covers for shields were used by greek hoplites too, and they use metal covered shields. Looks more logical to think that they cover to protect the decorations.

In the other hand, we know form Tacitus comments that Syrian archers have problems in Germany with their composite bows, because humidity make their glues soft...but he don´t make any comment on the scutums.

I will not use a rabbit glue to make a scutum, because it comes soft by humidity and also by HEAT. Having in mind that the scutum is a curved wood that maintains the shape by the glue, will be hard to maintain the curvature in campaing.

Romans due have waterproof glues that will be much better. The interesting part is that also seems that the scutums have a textile or linen fabric and leather. The question is how important was the fabric as a "composite" armour. Maybe the wood acts more to maintain the shape than as a real protection.

Bryan wrote:
What did the linothorax cover look like?

As I told above, there is no need if the right glue is used.

So the ancients had access to waterproof glues but chose not to use them for their shields or bows and only decided to use it for their armor? Why didn't they just use it for everything if it was so great? Especially since the shield was more useful than body army in terms of a defense.

Also, in danger of turning this into a shield debate, are you implying that the two/three layers of laminated wood in a scutum were only for supporting the curvature? If so, why were other non-Roman thureos shields, as used by various Celts, Greeks, and pretty much everyone in the Mediterranean by the 1st Cent BC, nearly identical in construction to the Roman scutum aside from not having any curve? They too were made of multiple layers of wood and covered with fabric or leather covering the outside but were flat.