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Lorica: Segmentata

"Lorica" is Latin for "armor"; "segmentata" is a modern term applied to the classic Roman iron cuirass of bands or hoops, introduced by the late first century BC.  While the origins of the segmentata is unknown the first example was found in Kalkriese (Teutoburg Forest) in Germany, where three Roman legions were wiped out in three days by Arminius in 9 AD.  Before the Kalkriese find the Corbridge finds were the first known segmentata coming into the army in the first half of the first century. 
 
There are four different types of segmentata out there; Kalkariese, Corbridge A, Corbridge B, and Newstead.  Overall they are the same but with small difffernces.  The lorica based on the finds at Kalkariese, Germany is really not a historical recreation.  They have based the construction of this lorica on one of the front breast plates.
 
The two Corbridge designs are based on finds in Corbridge, England.  Several examples have been found of these types.  So far there have been two different versions found.  The Corbridge A and the Corbridge B.  The differences between these two are how the shoulder sections are connected to the torso sections.  On the "A" the two sections are connected by leather straps.  On the "B" the two sections are connected by brass loops and hooks.  The difference between the two can be seen in the pictures below.
 
The Newstead Design is based on finds from Newstead, England.  It is the same principal as the Corbridge and Kalkarise but the deisgn has been modified easy use and construction.  It uses a hook and pin system instead of leather ties or leather straps to connect the shoulder and torso sections together. 

lora2.jpglorb1.jpg
                         Corbridge A                                   Corbrigde B

Below are links to full-size patterns for the Corbridge A and B lorica, broken into four pages each for ease of printing.  There is also a page of fittings (hinges and lacing loops).  The girdle plates and the longer plates of the lesser shoulder guards are shown only half their length to save space.  Obviously you might have to make some adjustments for a proper fit a full-size cardboard pattern is HIGHLY recommended!  Also, these are supposed to be full-size but probably won't print out that way, so a scale of inches is included to make it easier to enlarge them back to the proper size.
 

Click here for Lorica Segmentata fittings

Corbridge A patterns, page 1 * page 2  *  page 3  *  page 4

Click here for alternate Lesser Shoulder Guard patterns, taken from Cuirasses 2, 3, and 4 at Corbridge.

Corbridge B patterns, page 1  * page 2  *  page 3  *  page 4

Patterns and pictures are from the Legio XX website.

 

Here is what “Roman Military Equipment: From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome” by M.C. Bishop & J.C.N. Coulston has to say about the lorica segmenatata.

 

The form of armour for which the 1st century AD is best-known, however is that termed 'lorica segementata' - a cuirass constructed of strips of ironsheet articulated on leather straps, with copper-alloy fittings.  A recent coinage, the Roman name is unknown.  Although the Corbridge find that led to our full understanding of this damage-prone type of armour belongs firmly in the 2nd century AD, pieces are found on military sites from the Augustan period onwards and it does not seem to have changed much over a century.  Its origins are uncertain, but may lie with gladiatorial equipment, since the articulated armguard or vambrace (manica) was certainly in use in this sphere.  The earliest finds come from Augustan military sites in the Rhineland and along the Elbe and show that the familiar (and very characteristic) lobate fittings of the Corbridge type were not part of the original design.  These Augustan types were still to be found amongst the equipment of the army that invaded Britain.

 

The 'lorica segmentata' was especially strong in shoulder-defence, probably for the same reasons that mail shirts had shoulder doubling.  Indeed, most of the damage on the Corbridge cuirasses was in the shoulder area.  However, it has been pointed out that plate armour has one major advantage over mail, that being that fact when hit it would absorb the force of the blow (a so-called 'soft' armour), whereas mail, unless extremely well padded, would be driven into the flesh of the wearer.  The use of a padded undergarment (thoracomachus or subarmalis) with 'lorica segmentata'would have further protected the shoulders from bruising, and this wouild also solve some of the supposed problems with the angle of the breastplates on modern reconstructions.  Some writers have suggested that plate armour was easier to manufacture than mail.  Whilst the processes involved in making mail would be tedious to the lone craftsman, an increase in manpower would greatly facilitate production.

 
Suppliers:
 
Lonely Mountain Forge makes a good custom made segmentata Corbridge A and B.  Check for availability.
 
Imperium Ancient Armory has three different versions of the segmentata.  They have the Kalkarise, Corbridge A, and Newstead version.  All three at very reasonable prices!
 
Matt Luke does a supurb job making a segmentata, or just loose parts for your handmade segmentata for Corbridge A and B.  Contact through Marketplace on RAT.
 
Deepeeka latest version of the Corbridge A a good inexpensive segmentata.  Go to Soul of the Warrior for all Deepeeka products.

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