Why is the roman soldier body armour so unique?

Answer 1

The Roman army actually had three types of torso armour: the lorica hamata (mail armour), the lorica squamata (scale armour) or the lorica segmentata (plated armour). It was the locica segmentata which was unique and is now the one which is most associated with Roman soldiers, even though the other two types of armour were used equally commonly.

The lorica hamata had up to 30,000 rings in alternate rows of closed washer-like rings punched from iron sheets and rows of riveted rings from drawn wire that ran horizontally. The rings had an inside diameter of 5 mm, and an outside one of 7 mm. They created a very flexible, but reliable and strong armour. The shoulders had plates which ran vertically from about mid-back to the front of the torso, and were connected by brass or iron hooks linked to studs riveted through the ends of the flaps. They were similar to the Greek 'Linothorax'

The lorica squamata was made from small metal scales which were laced or sewn to a fabric backing. They had two or more wholes at each side for wiring to the next in the row, one or two at the top (and sometimes at the bottom as well) for fastening to the backing. The scales were made of iron or bronze, or alternating metals. They were thin, but because they overlapped in every direction they came in multiple layers which gave good protection.

The lorica segmentata had metal plates fastened to internal leather straps. The plates formed girth hoops. They formed horizontal bands around the torso which surrounded it in two halves. They overlapped downwards and they were fastened at the front and back. The plates were soft iron inside and mild steel on the outside. This made them harder and prevented them from becoming brittle. The upper torso and shoulders were protected shoulder guards made up by breastplates and backplates. This armour could be separated into four sections which would collapse on themselves so that they could be compacted for easy storage. Originally the plates were fastened by bronze hinges. Later this was simplified by rivets with hooks. The use of this armour declined in the Later Empire due to its high cost and its maintenance requirements.

Answer 2

The Roman army actually had three types of torso armour: the lorica hamata (mail armour), the lorica squamata (scale armour) or the lorica segmentata (plated armour). It was the locica segmentata which was unique and is now the one which is most associated with Roman soldiers, even though the other two types of armour were used equally commonly.

The lorica hamata had up to 30,000 rings in alternate rows of closed washer-like rings punched from iron sheets and rows of riveted rings from drawn wire that ran horizontally. The rings had an inside diameter of 5 mm, and an outside one of 7 mm. They created a very flexible, but reliable and strong armour. The shoulders had plates which ran vertically from about mid-back to the front of the torso, and were connected by brass or iron hooks linked to studs riveted through the ends of the flaps. They were similar to the Greek 'Linothorax'

The lorica squamata was made from small metal scales which were laced or sewn to a fabric backing. They had two or more wholes at each side for wiring to the next in the row, one or two at the top (and sometimes at the bottom as well) for fastening to the backing. The scales were made of iron or bronze, or alternating metals. They were thin, but because they overlapped in every direction they came in multiple layers which gave good protection.

The lorica segmentata had metal plates fastened to internal leather straps. The plates formed girth hoops. They formed horizontal bands around the torso which surrounded it in two halves. They overlapped downwards and they were fastened at the front and back. The plates were soft iron inside and mild steel on the outside. This made them harder and prevented them from becoming brittle. The upper torso and shoulders were protected shoulder guards made up by breastplates and backplates. This armour could be separated into four sections which would collapse on themselves so that they could be compacted for easy storage. Originally the plates were fastened by bronze hinges. Later this was simplified by rivets with hooks. The use of this armour declined in the Later Empire due to its high cost and its maintenance requirements.