Roman Plate Armour (Elite, 247)

If you've only got time for one book on the illustrious Lorica Segmentata, make it this one. Seriously. M.C. Bishop, one of the grand poobahs of Roman military gear, crams a mind-boggling amount of info into this compact tome, giving you the crème de la crème of research as of its publication date. Now, brace yourself for a couple of debatable points: Bishop argues that eye protection and horse armor were just for equestrian sports. He also downplays the significance of Lorica Segmentata finds in non-legionary outposts, suggesting that only citizen soldiers wore them. The points argued by the author are obviously possible and well defended, but they aren’t truly conclusive. Some fascinating nuggets you'll unearth include: • Armguards predated Trajan's Dacian campaigns (though they were all the rage in Adamklissi during those campaigns). • The fiddly bits—buckles, hooks, and clasps—were so delicate they needed frequent replacements. Roman fashion, am I right? • The manufacturing involved some serious tech: compression rollers for uniformity and shape, a technique lost for centuries! • These 1 mm-thick breastplates offered protection equivalent to 2 mm-thick medieval armor. Talk about efficiency! • Lorica Segmentata pieces were somewhat interchangeable. While not a perfect fit, swapping plates didn't drastically reduce their effectiveness. Different sizes and a bit of style-swapping were not a deal-breaker. The book delves into the history, description, and variants of Lorica Segmentata, focusing on Kalkriese, Corbridge, and Newstead types. You’ll also find hybrid forms, manicae, muscle cuirasses, greaves, and horse armor. There's even a behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturing process—Roman factories were bustling places, with legionaries and slaves pitching in. The section on plate armor in use reveals combat scenarios, transportation methods (think of it as ancient flat-packing), versatility, and the legacy left behind. Imagine ancient Romans playing a game of Tetris, stacking those armor pieces just right! To top it all off, the book is brimming with excellent archaeological drawings, artifact photos, and Giuseppe Rava’s stunning illustrations. You'll find everything from: • The main types of Lorica Segmentata • A dramatic attack on a Roman camp at Kalkriese • The meticulous cleaning of Corbridge-type armor • Newstead armor discoveries in a well • The Alba-Iulia type in 3rd century Dacia • Armguards in 2nd century Dacian combat • Armor repair at Léon • Storage methods at Carnuntum In a nutshell, Roman Plate Armour by M.C. Bishop is a goldmine of knowledge, beautifully illustrated, and sprinkled with just enough controversy to keep things interesting. Whether you're a history buff or just love a good read, this book will have you nodding along as you uncover the secrets of Roman plate armor.

As expected clean copy

Author M.C. Bishop opens this fascinating Osprey Elite series book with a comment on how surviving Roman art, such as Trajan's Column in Rome, may influence (and misdirect) our understanding of the Roman army. This may be the case with uniforms and especially armor. What follows is a detailed excursion into Roman plate armor and what we know about it. The author leans heavily on a variety of recent archeological finds, which guide a logical and practical discussion of how Roman plate armor was worn and maintained. That discussion is enriched with period imagery and modern photographs and diagrams. The result will be fascinating for the student of the subject, perhaps less so for the general reader. Well recommended.

Well documented and fantastic reports on the lateral Roman iron/ steel armours.

I was really hoping for some information on the extensive plate armor utilized by the imposing crupellarius gladiator type but sadly they are not mentioned at all.

Lo peor, AMAZON. Comprado el día 17, en stock, indicaban entrega en 3-4 días. No fue enviado hasta pasado más de un mes. Todo este tiempo seguían indicando que estaba en stock y que la entrega sería rápida. Lo que nunca me ha pasado con ninguna compra online. Ni un solo mensaje por su parte indicando motivos, pidiendo disculpas... sólo silencio. El libro es bueno como introducción (no esperes novedades si ya conoces el tema) y referencia rápida, a un precio asequible para un tema tan especializado.

Another excellent Osprey publication which follows the usual format. It includes a brief but informative overview of the subject well supported by photographs of sculptures and diving examples and excellent colour plates. Ideal for the wargamer or those looking for an introduction to the subject. Very good value for money.

A good book overall. Well researched and illustrated.