Illustrations of Sassanid Persian Clibanarii

[Sextus Saturninus]

The cataphracts could wear mail under their cuirasses, just it would add extra weight. It would give more protection, and it would make you die of heat :-( The cataphracts wore only laminated armor on the chest, legs, and arms, and not full plate armor, so the need to wear mail under it is reasonable Also, the laminated armor only covered the top part of your arm or leg, so wearing mail would protect the rear.