Lorica Hamata

Lorica Hamata is the name for the chain mail, which was probably used in the Roman army since the 3rd century BC to the fall of the Roman Empire.

Construction

The Lorica Hamata consisted of up to 30,000 interwoven iron rings, rarely bronze rings. You could weigh up to 10 kilograms. The rings have an inside diameter of 5-9 mm and a material thickness of 1-2 mm. In this, as a Roman specialty, alternately seamless punched rings and riveted or welded iron rings used ( Circuli et hami = rings and hooks). Whether the rings in each case welded or riveted were, can not testify with certainty, since the findings were heavily corroded in general. Where the degree of conservation, the rings were allowed such findings, however, always connected. Chance also remnants of extremely fine chain mail made ​​of bronze wire were measured with a ring diameter of only 3 mm found.

The Lorica Hamata decreed for the longest time of the Roman Empire through a doubling over the shoulders, which lay like a U-shaped collar around the neck. This shoulder part was secured with four rivets at the corners on the chain mail, with leather trim and probably relined. This shoulder reinforcement was initially drawn together and secured by lacing, later by two related breast hook on the chest. The Roman chainmail had a wide cylindrical shape ( not fitted ) and off the hook for contracting the shoulder piece no closures. The Lorica Hamata was usually sleeveless or short sleeve and handed at least up to the step, but mostly to the mid- thigh.

The long versions of the Lorica Hamata were always worn with a belt and so avoided a Swinging around as well as a part of the load is distributed to the hips. The Roman soldiers wore under the chainmail usually a simple woolen tunic (not as common in the Middle Ages, padded undergarments ), but there are reports that they pushed under the chain mail before a battle additional cushioning material (see Subarmalis ).

Development

The Romans themselves attributed the development of chain mail to the Celts, the oldest confirmed pictorial evidence of Roman soldiers in 168 BC shows this exception in chain mail. The Lorica Hamata learned a few fundamental changes in several centuries. Since the end of the 1st century AD, the shoulder reinforcement was no longer used, and the Lorica Hamata was shorter overall.

The coats of the cavalry differed in which they were a little shorter, slotted part side of the Infantry versions and had short sleeves or shoulders widened.

From about the middle of the 1st century to the end of the 2nd century AD, the Lorica Hamata was peeled from the plate armor as the main armament of the Roman infantry, but never completely replaced. The chainmail was at this time except for the cavalry only in the Roman auxiliary troops throughout in use. Then sat back down through the chain mail as the most important Roman armor type.

Finds

Parts of a Roman chain armor were found near Trier.