Greaves of Hair

[Dan Howard]

I do not believe Homer described anyone wearing layered linen cuirasses of the familiar, classical Greek styl however.

I didn't say he describes "layered linen cuirasses of the familiar, classical Greek style." I said he used the word LINOTHOREX twice and that this word can be traced back to the Linear B tablets.

ἀλλὰ πολὺ μείων ὀλίγος μὲν ἔην λινοθώρηξ [2.529]
"but far slighter. He was a small man wearing a linothorax."

τῶν ἦρχ' Ἄδρηστός τε καὶ Ἄμφιος λινοθώρηξ [2.830]
"these were led by Adrestos and Amphios wearing linothorax"

It is not an error in translation. It is the exact same word.

There is also the fragment of layered linen found in a grave shaft at Mycenae.

It is fairly certain that the Mykenaians wore armour made from linen. It is unlikely that they resembled the classical hoplite cuirass. Homer uses the word PILOS which can mean felt. The word is used to describe the lining of the boar's tusk helm [10.265] This is the only time the word is used in the entire book. There is nothing to suggest that felt was used as a standalone armour.