While studying history as part of the school curriculum, we get an idea of how, in the old days, warriors protected themselves from physical injury. It should be noted right away that the armor was different at all times. At a certain period of time among the Romans, they repeated the muscles. For what reason was this done?
1. Briefly about armor
Initially, they appeared during the existence of the first people. Their role was played by animal skins. If we recall the mythology, then Hercules, in order to provide himself with reliable protection, used a skin taken from the Nemean lion, which he himself killed. Over time, shields were also made from this material. In reality, raw materials from a lion were not suitable for armor. The material was buffalo skin, previously processed by boiling.
As for the solid protective products of the metal type, they appeared after people were able to extract metals and, accordingly, work with them. Perhaps not the most ancient, but one of them was the military armor from Dendra, located near Midea (Mycenaean acropolis). This find of archaeologists did not have a particularly aesthetic appearance, but it was excellent protection for its owner, moreover, from weapons of all types. Such armor weighed from 16 to 17 kilograms (the armor of the knights was heavier).
Such armor of a solid type imposed significant restrictions on the freedom of movement of a person, but it was impossible for the warriors of the Bronze Age to remain completely unprotected. Flexible equipment, this also applies to later variations of chain mail, the characteristic stabbing blow was held rather poorly. But at that time the spear remained the main weapon of the infantryman. So protection was needed that would combine the strength of an integral metal plate with good mobility of the human body.
Who and when invented the cuirass is unknown. But it was she who quickly gained popularity throughout the Mediterranean. This product was solid and consisted of two bent metal plates. They completely covered the body, and the limbs remained free. Almost all peoples of antiquity used such armor in practice. The ancient Romans, by the way, were also no exception in this matter. Initially, however, they did not have enough funds to equip most of the legionnaires with cuirass.
This armor became widespread among the Roman army only in the second century BC. The popularity of the cuirass lasted for approximately one century.
2. Why the Romans so quickly abandoned the cuirass
To be more precise, the cuirass continued to be used, but not as massively as before. The reasons for this were serious. These were quite expensive products, and the legionnaires of Republican Rome bought weapons and armor themselves, for their own money. To adjust the cuirass to fit oneself (height, weight, features of the body structure), a good blacksmith with extensive experience was needed. But the plastic armor, the so-called lorica segmental, like chain mail, had the opportunity not only to fit under oneself, but also to be repaired almost immediately after the battle in the campaign.
During the time of the Empire, the approach to equipping soldiers with armor changed. They began to be purchased in large quantities. These armors were of the same quality and standard size chart. It was then that the cuirass became the hallmark of the commanders of the Roman soldiers. They had every opportunity to order protection for themselves individually.
By the way, this armor among the Roman population was called "lorica musculata". The nickname did not appear by chance. Back in the 5th century BC, ancient Greek craftsmen learned to create the surface of this armor in the form of a relief of human musculature, and not completely smooth. Products in connection with these were called "anatomical".
Outwardly, the brushed bronze armor was quite attractive. The person who put it on took on the appearance of an invulnerable, unreal being, who was poured out of metal. From a practical point of view, such cuirasses also had an advantage. Due to the relief, the armor had high strength due to the formation of stiffening ribs.
These cuirasses came to other peoples very quickly. Etruscans, neighboring with the Romans, began to use them. Even in Japan, this armor has become popular. The Japanese gave them their names - "Buddha's torso", no-do. True, on Japanese products, the muscles have a slightly different look.
In ancient Rome, cuirass with muscles also became common. Initially, the muscles were depicted strictly schematically. It was an abstraction. Gradually, the appearance of the armor was changed, and the warriors all as one became muscular due to the metal protection.
In addition to the armor, there were pterygs (bird wings). They were stripes of leather located on the hips and shoulders. At the bottom of the pteryg were metal plaques attached. It was not only beautiful, but also protected the arms and legs.
Continuing the topic read, why the Roman centurion needed a bright comb on his helmet.