User:Schmoutz/Subarmalis

A subarmalis or thoracomachus is a roman armour.

Aquilifer wearing a subarmalis

Centurion wearing a subarmalis under a lorica hamata

History

Because of many disadvantages of the lorica segmentata (around 25 BC), soldiers put pieces of sheepskin under their shoulder pads. As a result, the movements of the shoulder pads during marches and runs were cushioned and the weight of the armour was better distributed over the shoulder. This is how the subermalis was created, as soldiers 'improvement.

The subarmalis were sleeveless waistcoats made of leather or heavy canvas. These mantles (pterygia) protected the upper thighs and upper arms, which the lorica segmentata did not.

Originally, the subarmalis were leather or fabric pourpoints, without sleeves, completed with mantling on the top of the armholes and on the hips. They opened at the front and were closed with lacing all the way up.

Using period

From its inception (last quarter of the 1st century BC) until the end of the Roman Empire, subarmalis seem to have been used. However, there are fewer graphic representations of them in the 2nd century and some have seen this as an indication of less common use. [[Category:Military history of ancient Rome]] [[Category:Body armor]]