The lorica segmentata (), also called lorica lamminata, or banded armour is a type of personal armour used by soldiers of the Roman army, consisting of metal strips fashioned into overlapping or interlocking circular bands, fastened internally and held in place on the body with leather straps. Torso armour of this type was probably in use by various Roman legions from approximately the time of the beginning of the common era (CE), until at least the mid part of the 3rd century CE.

The lorica segmentata has come to be viewed as symbolic of the Roman legions in popular culture.

thumb|Remains and recreation of lorica segmentata, from the [[Corbridge Hoard.]]

Etymology

thumb|[[Roman legionaries marching across a pontoon bridge, a relief scene from the column of Emperor Trajan (r. 98-117 AD) in Rome, Italy (monochrome photographs by Conrad Cichorius)]]

In Latin, the name 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. 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 word lorica in it.

The lorica segmentata's use in the Roman army was geographically widespread, but the mail armor lorica hamata may have been more common at all times.

Construction

The plates in the lorica segmentata armor were made by overlapping ferrous plates that were then riveted to straps made from leather. It is unknown what animal was used to make the leather and if it was tanned or tawed. This case-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. The plates were made from beating out ingots. 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.

Usage

It is unclear who used this armor. On monuments, Auxilia are generally shown wearing mail, not cuirasses, and carrying oval shields. Roman depictions of legionaries, such as those found on Trajan's column often depict them wearing the lorica segmentata. On this basis, it has been supposed that lorica segmentata was exclusively used by legionaries and praetorians.

It may have been used rarely, maybe only for set-piece battles and parades. This viewpoint considers the figures in Trajan's Column to be highly stereotyped, in order to distinguish clearly between different types of troops. 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.

Cultural impact

The tendency to portray Roman legionaries clad in this type of armour, including in popular culture, often extends to periods of time that are too early or too late to be consistent with what is known of the actual historical use of such armor.

<gallery>

File:Medinaceli Actium reliefs 09.jpg|Relief from the first half of the 1st century depicting the naval battle at Actium

File:047 Conrad Cichorius, Die Reliefs der Traianssäule, Tafel XLVII (Ausschnitt 01).jpg|Detail of Trajan's Column

File:Base della colonna antonina, decursio sx 04.JPG|High relief on base of the Column of Antoninus Pius

file:Column of Marcus Aurelius - detail3.jpg|Roman legionaries as depicted in relief on the column of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180 AD) in Rome, Italy

File:Arch of Septimius Severus, Forum Romanum.jpg|Detail of an Arch of Septimius Severus

File:Roman soldier in lorica segmentata 1-cropped.jpg|A reenactor dressed as a Roman soldier in lorica segmentata

</gallery>

See also

References

Bibliography

  • Lorica Segmentata Volume I: A Handbook of Articulated Roman Plate Armour, M.C. Bishop, Armatura Press (November 1, 2002) (online version)
  • Roman Army website, showing the third century finds of segmentata in spain (downloadable PDF)
  • Ancient originals on the pages of the Roman Military Equipment Web Museum