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Thelorica segmentata (Latin pronunciation:[ɫoːˈriːka]), also calledlorica lamminata, orbanded armour is a type ofpersonal armour that was used by soldiers of theRoman army, consisting ofmetal strips fashioned into circular bands, fastened to internal leather straps.
Thelorica segmentata has come to be viewed as symbolic of theRoman legions in popular culture.
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InLatin, the namelorica segmentata translates to "segmented cuirass." However, this name was not given to the armor by the Romans. Instead, it was given by scholars in the 16th century.[1] Despite the lack of knowledge on the Roman name for the armor, scholars can make educated guesses on the Roman name. It is obvious the name had the wordlorica in it.[1] However, the following part of the name is unknown.[1] Some scholars believe that the name waslorica lamminata.[1] This theory is based on the Romans referring to sheets of metal as lamina,[1] although no firm evidence for any theory regarding the name of the armor currently exists.[1]
Despite the armor being commonly associated with the Romans, the technology behind thelorica segmentata was old by the time it was introduced into the Roman infantry. TheDendra panoply is an example from the 15th century BC of articulated plate defense using a similar technique of overlapping curved plates.Laminated armor was also used by theParthians and possibly theDacians,Scythians, orSarmatians before the Romans adopted it. Some sets of limb armor of this type combined withscale armor dating back to the 4th century BC have been found in archaeological sites located in thesteppe. It is possible theManica (armguard) was worn bygladiators before it was introduced for military use.[1]
Although the exact time at which the Romans adopted the armor remains unknown, it is possible that thelorica segmentata was introduced afterCrassus'defeat at Carrhae in 53 BC.[1] Another possibility is that the armor was adopted in 21 AD after theRevolt of Julius Sacrovir and Julius Florus.[1] Since an archeological research conducted inKalkriese confirmed that the soldiers at theBattle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD wore thelorica segmentata, it is assumed that this armor must have been in use before 9 AD.[1]
Around the middle of the third century thelorica segmentata fell out of favor with theRoman army, although it did remain in use during theLate Roman Empire.[1] Soldiers wearing thelorica segmentata were depicted on theArch of Constantine, a monument erected in Rome in 315. However, it has been argued that these depictions are from anearlier monument byMarcus Aurelius, from whichConstantine the Great incorporated portions into his Arch.[1] The latest known use of the armor was therefore in the 4th century.[1]
Over time the type oflorica segmentata would change. From 9 BC to 43 AD the Roman soldier wore theDangstetten-Kalkriese-Vindonissa types, from 69 to 100 theCorbridge-Carnuntum type was used. From 164 to 180, theNewstead type was used.[2] The time the armors were used overlapped. It is possible that there was a fourth type, covering the body with segmented armor joined toscale shoulder defenses. However, this is only known from one badly damaged statue originating atAlba Iulia in Romania. This armor was used from about 14 BC to the early 4th century AD.[3][4] Thelorica segmentata's use in the Roman army was geographically widespread, but themail armorlorica hamata may have been more common at all times.[citation needed]
The plates in thelorica segmentata armor were made by overlappingferrous plates that were then riveted to straps made fromleather.[1][5][6] It is unknown what animal was used to make the leather and if it wastanned or tawed.[1] The plates were made of soft iron on the inside and rolled mild steel on the outside.[1] This made the plates hardened against damage without making them brittle.[7] Thiscase-hardening was done by packing organic matter tightly around them and heating them in a forge, transferring carbon from the burnt materials into the surface of the metal.[8] The plates were made from beating outingots.[1]
The strips were arranged horizontally on the body, overlapping downwards, and they surrounded the torso in two halves, being fastened at the front and back. Additional strips, shoulder guards,breastplates, and backplates were used to protect the upper body and the shoulders. The form of the armor allowed it to be stored very compactly, since it was possible to separate it into four sections, each of which would collapse on itself into a compact mass. The fitments that closed the various plate sections together (buckles, lobate hinges, hinged straps, tie-hooks, tie-rings, etc.) were made ofbrass. In later variants dating from around 75–80 C.E., the fastenings of the armor were simplified.
Bronze hinges were removed in favor of simple rivets, belt fastenings used small hooks, and the lowest two girdle plates were replaced by one broad plate. The component parts of thelorica segmentata moved in synchronization with the other parts.[1] This made the armor more flexible.[1][9] The armor was very long lasting. The Kalkriese type of armor lasted 55 years, the Corbridge armor lasted 70 years, and the Newstead type lasted 90 years.[citation needed]
It is unclear who used this armor. On monuments,Auxilia are generally shown wearing mail, notcuirasses, and carrying oval shields. Roman depictions of legionaries, such as those found onTrajan's column often depict them wearing thelorica segmentata.[10] On this basis, it has been supposed thatlorica segmentata was exclusively used bylegionaries andpraetorians.[1] However, some historians considerTrajan's Column to be inaccurate as a historical source due to its inaccurate and stylized portrayal of Roman armor. These historians also say that "it is probably safest to interpret the Column reliefs as 'impressions', rather than accurate representations."[1]
The discovery of parts of thelorica segmentata at areas where auxiliary soldiers would have been stationed implies that auxiliary troops used thelorica segmentata. However, it is entirely possible that the reason behind the presence of thelorica segmentata in these areas could be that these areas had a small number of legionaries stationed there.[1] On theAdamclisiTropaeum, thelorica segmentata does not appear at all, and legionaries andauxilia alike are depicted wearing thelorica squamata. Some experts are of the opinion that the Adamclisi monument is a more accurate portrayal of the situation.[11]
It may have been used rarely, maybe only forset-piece battles andparades. This viewpoint considers the figures in Trajan's Column to be highly stereotyped, in order to distinguish clearly between different types of troops.[12] It is also debated if the lorica segmentata was only used in the west. All archaeological finds of such armor has been made in 16 countries in the western part of the Roman Empire but never in the east.[13]
The tendency to portray Romanlegionaries clad in this type of armour often extends to periods of time that are too early or too late in history.[citation needed]
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