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Lorica: Hamata
Last Updated: 3-15-08
Galea, Lorica: Segmentata, Lorica: Hamata, Tunica, Subarmalis, Balteus, Gladius, Pugio, Caligae, Marching Pack, Tools, Cold Weather Gear
"Lorica" is Latin for "armor"; "Hamata" is a modern term applied to Roman chainmail. This type of armor was
in use through out the Roman period. Roman chainmail shirts during the period that Legio VI recreates would have been
no smaller than six (6) mm in diameter and no larger than eight (8) mm. Typically Roman chainmail would have been made
of iron but there is evidence that it could be tinned or even gilded.
Roman mail had a 4-in-1 pattern to it. Meaning that one ring was riveted and the four attached to it were solid.
The solid rings could be punched from sheet metal or they could be cut from wire, flatened, and welded shut. Most reproductions
now a days use 16 guage steel.
***Note that wering mail does NOT mean that you are limited to being
an auxiliary!***
Roman mail during this period was typically sleeveless, if they did have sleeves they were no longer than three (3) inches.
The shoulder doubling is the shape of a sqaured off "U" and was probably backed with with leather which was held on the mail
by folding over the edges and stitched through. On most, if not all, modern reconstructions of Roman mail the doubler
is attached to the shirt by a row of rings on the back. Some shirts have been found with a set of buckles rivets to
the back, which is thought to hold the doubler on. It also didn't extend lower than mid-thigh.
On the front of the shirt, riveted in the center, would be a pair of "S" shaped hooks. These hooks could be plain
or decorated and made of brass that could be tinned or gilded. On both flaps on the front would be two studs for the
"S" hooks to sit on and hold the flaps and doubler down.
For a guide on how to de-galvanize your hamata click HERE.
For a guide on how to select Roman chainmail click HERE.
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 hamata.
Mail continued in use both with legionaries and auxiliaries during the 1st century AD, a fact that demonstrated by finds
of small clumps of the rings. Robinson showed quite convincingly that what had often been though to be leather armour
on sculpture was in fact supposed to be mail, and the tombstone of C. Valerius Crispus of Legio VIII Augusta from Wiesbaden
shows mail in use by a legionary in the Flavian period, and the Adamclisi metopes confirm its continuation amongst some Traganic
legionaries.
Its use was of course widespread amongst the auxilia (arguably more so than scale armour, but this could just be due
to a quirk in the representational evidence), and is found worn by both cavalry and infantry. Mail fasteners are known
from a number of sites and freguently echo their Iron Age antecedents. These hinged fittings, attached to the centre
of the chest, served to fasten the shoulder-doubling. Hip-length mail shierts were now common, those of cavalrymen having
s short slit on either side to make it easier to sit on a horse (but this feature is also shown on mail worn by a soldier
on a Mainz column base.)
Suppliers:
Deepeeka now offers an accurate hamata with alternating rows of rings, the rings are 6mm, and the doubler is leather
backed. For all Deepeeka products go to Soul of the Warrior.
Find-it Armory makes a very good 6 mm and 8 mm hamata shirt. It has alternating rows of riveted and solid rings, proper shoulder
doubling with leather edging, and reasonable brass chest hooks. NOTE: One of Legio VI FFC members helped in the
design.
Danyial Steel Craft also makes a good hamta. It has alternating rows of rings that are available in 6mm and 8mm.
Accurate hooks and buttons with the doubler leather backed. Armamentaria is a good place to get one but the prices are a bit high with the exchange rate. Keltica is also a great place and they are right next door in Canada.
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