amcrazyjus Posted February 3, 2005 Report Share Posted February 3, 2005 It's interesting to note that most Roman armor probably did not shine. They used a lot of chain mail (a sort of cloth made of circular links), which doesn't shine. They also made scale armor (metal plates about 3 inches long and about an inch wide, sewn together on a linen/leather backing.) Scale armor shines a little, but not much. And, they made leather armor, with the metal on the inside, or at least under the leather, probably again on a backing of linen, to make three layers. So, although the ancient Romans loved the ornate and glittery, their armor most probably did not shine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skel Posted February 4, 2005 Report Share Posted February 4, 2005 i just wanna respond to that last comment about the "shineyness" of the armour... Â i have been reenacting medivial combat for several years now and i can tell you for a fact and from experience that chainmail and scalemaille both have a great potential to ..shine... Â mind you, its not like bling bling diamonds and platinum kinda shine, but in the sunlight it definatly can...it all depends on how well you take care of it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augustus Posted February 4, 2005 Report Share Posted February 4, 2005 Remember also that the Romans used iron which in open air with any moisture oxidizes (ex. gun bluing is a type of oxidation) so Roman armor may not have been that shiny after a week in the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primus Pilus Posted February 4, 2005 Report Share Posted February 4, 2005 The Romans also used steel, although the exact formula for making it wasn't completely known to them, they did add coal to the iron smelting process. Certainly not stainless steel, but still more 'shiny' than pure iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augustus Posted February 4, 2005 Report Share Posted February 4, 2005 The Romans also used steel, although the exact formula for making it wasn't completely known to them, they did add coal to the iron smelting process. Certainly not stainless steel, but still more 'shiny' than pure iron. Really what do analysis of there metal and metal making technology show, oh well I don't think the Romans required camoflage on the battle field something their bright red cloaks would have ruined anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amcrazyjus Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 i didn't mean that it didn't shine but most of the time roman men didn't have time to "polish their armor they were in battle so much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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