Linothorax

Linothorax (Greek), also known as „Tube and Yoke“ design „Type IV Armour“, the linen armour of the thorakitai in ancient Greece. Introduced in the late 6th century B.C., the linothorax replaced the heavy and expensive bronze bell armour of the hoplite.

Studies at the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay showed that 11 to 12 mm of laminated linen armour offers the same protection against arrows as the 2 mm of bronze sheeting typically used for bell armour and muscle armour¹. Linen armour only weighs one third to half as much as comparable bronze armour.

According to these studies, laminated linen armour appears to have fallen out of use when the Roman army introduced better arrowheads with greater armour penetration capabilities.

Defensive Weapons