Hemithorakion

A Hemithorakion (Greek ἡμιθωράκιον from ἡμι "half" and a diminutive form of θώραξ " breastplate ", and the translation reads thus about " small half breastplate " ) was an ancient Greek armor.

Description

The Hemithorakion not protect the entire body, but only the chest. At the back of the armor was tied together with string. Often as the Linothorax linen the Hemithorakion was made ​​, but also hemp was common. It was worn in the Macedonian army of officers and served more as a symbol of the rank of an officer than as a real protection. The Hemithorakion was therefore often worn in addition to other armor. In an order issued 200 BC Decree of Amphipolis is the lack of application of the Hemithorakion in camp for the Hegemonoi, officers, subject to a drachma as punishment.

As the inventor of the armor of the Thessalian tyrant Jason of Pherae is sometimes called, is preserved as such in Julius Pollux.