Reconstructing Ancient Linen Body Armor

Gregory S. Aldrete is a professor of humanistic studies and history at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. He is the author of Floods of the Tiber in Ancient Rome and Gestures and Acclamations in Ancient Rome, both published by Johns Hopkins. Scott Bartell is an independent scholar who has published and presented on linen body armor and Alexander the Great. Alicia Aldrete is coauthor (with Gregory S. Aldrete) of The Long Shadow of Antiquity: What Have the Greeks and Romans Done for Us?

• AcknowledgmentsIntroductionThe State of Linothorax Scholarship and Typologies of Greek ArmorThe Structure of This BookMethodology and Audience1. Ancient Evidence for Linen ArmorLiterary SourcesLinen in the Ancient WorldVisual Sources2. Structural Variants and Decorations on Type IV ArmorStructural Elements I: Shoulder FlapsStructural Elements II: Shoulder Flap TiesStructural Elements III: PterugesStructural Elements IV: Structural Elements IVDecorative Elements I: Painted DesignsDecorative Elements II: ColorDistinctive Aspects of Etruscan Type IV Armor3. What Material Was Used to Make Type IV Armor?Leather versus Linen ConstructionSewn versus Laminated ConstructionComposite Construction4. Reconstructing the LinothoraxDeveloping a Basic PatternFabrics and GluesThe Lamination ProcessHeroic Nudity and Armor LengthDecorationThickness5. Arrow Test Methodology and MaterialsArrow Test RationaleTest PatchesArrows and BowsArrow Test Procedure6. Arrow Test ResultsGeneral ObservationsLess Significant Test VariablesHand-Produced versus Modern LinensLaminated versus Sewn and QuiltedDifferent ArrowheadsDepth of Penetration and Lethality of InjuryAngled ShotsTest Results Compared to Ancient Source TestimonyTesting Other Types of AttacksArrow versus Unarmored WarriorArrow versus Test Patch: Test Result TablesLinen versus Metal Armor7. Wearability IssuesPotential Vulnerability to MoistureWaterproofing ExperimentsDurability and RepairRange of Motion, Mobility, and FitHeat, Weight, and Endurance8. Economic and Social ConsiderationsLabor Required to Construct a LinothoraxThe Cost of Linen ArmorCost and Availability of Leather versus LinenLarge- Scale ProductionGender IssuesConclusionAppendix: Database of Visual Sources for Type IV ArmorBlack-Figure VasesWhite- Ground Technique VasesRed- Figure VasesStone Sculptures and ReliefsTerracotta Sculptures and ReliefsMetal ObjectsPaintingsNotesBibliographyIndex

Reconstructing Ancient Linen Body Armor is essential for anyone interested in ancient warfare and/or experimental archaeology, from academic to layman, and is a defining and valuable contribution to our understanding of the ancient world. -- Christopher Matthew Bryn Mawr Classical Review Anyone interested in archeological textiles, historical textiles, historical reenactment, military history, costume construction, or flax and linen should consider this fascinating and unique book. -- Joanne Robbins Hicken The Complex Weaver Reconstructing Ancient Linen Body Armor is a model example of the benefits that can come from creative engagement with historical re-enactors. -- Peter Thonemann Times Literary Supplement In introducing the developing disciplines of experimental and reconstructive archaeology alongside the traditional approaches of textual and visual analysis, the authors provide a challenging and illuminating exploration of a poorly understood piece of ancient body armour that will satisfy both academic scholars and military history aficionados alike Hermathena