Hi guys,

Very rarely post myself but this is an interesting topic. I've worn a replica linathorax a few years back when I was with a hoplite re-enactment group and the topic of linathorax construction and what it is actually made of and the protection it offered is a firey topic for many people with many sides and opinions on the subject.

The one I tried on was made of 24 layers of linen glued together. The linen was 100% pure linen although I'm not sure of the composition of the glue used. Its was very stiff and a little awkward to put on. It was quite thick although with it been a few years back I couldn't guess at an actual measurement and was re-enforced all the way round the middle and on the shoulders with bronze scales and was surprisingly light weight. The linathorax was ment to be based on ones from the Persian Wars (490-480BC).

I have a pic on my PC of it on but can't seem to get it attached to this post...

Anyway the people at the re-enactment group tried using different weapons against one of there linathorax's and they said that it was "stab" proof/resistant with a small blade but that a good thrust from say a spear would easily get through one.

To say a linathorax is useless outside of a phalanx I would disagree with. It would seem that they are able to protect the wearer from glancing slashes or thrusts. Also most linathorax's would have been re-enforced with scales and plates to add additional protection.

As for what a linathorax was actually made of and constructed is just one of those things that won't really be know until/if one is found that has survived the ravages of time frozen on one of Hannibal's men who still lay undiscovered and preserved in the Alpes or in the hold of a trireme on the bottom of the Mediterranean preserved in ideal conditions in oxygen starved mud flats.

Will