The Cuirass and Corslet, strictly speaking, were of prepared leather (corium), but often also composed of quilted cloths : the former in ancient times generally denoted a suit with leathern appendages at the bottom and at the shoulder, as used by the Romans ; the lat- ter, one in which the barrel did not come down below the hips, and usually destitute of leathern vittm, which was nationally Greek. In later ages it always desig- nates a breast and back piece of steel. It is, however, requisite to observe that, in estimating the meaning of Hebrew names for armor of all kinds, they are liable to the same laxity of use which all other languages have manifested; for in military matters, more per-
Ancient Cuirassc? and Helmet?. 1, 2, Early Greek; 3, Greek; 4, 5, Roman ; G, Barbarian.
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haps than in any other, a name once adopted remains ' the same, though the object may be changed by suc- cessive modifications till there remains but little re- semblance to that to which the designation was origin- ally applied. The objects above denominated append- ages and vitta (in the feudal ages, lambrequins), were straps of leather secured to the lower rim of the barrel of a suit of armor, and to the openings for arm-holes : the first were about three and a half inches in width ; the second, two and a half. They were ornamented with embroidery, covered with rich stuffs and gold- smiths' work, and made heavy at the lower extremity, to cause them always to hang down in proper order ; but those on the arm-holes had a slight connection, so as to keep them equal when the arm was lifted. These vittoe were rarely in a single row, but in general form- ed two or three rows, alternately covering the opening between those underneath, and then protecting the thighs nearly to the knee, and half the upper arm. In the Roman service, under the suit of armor, was the sagum, made of red serge or baize, coming down to the cap of the knee and folding of the arm, so that the vit- tae hung entirely upon it. Other nations had always an equivalent to this, but not equally long; and, in the opinion of some, the Hebrew shiryon served the same purpose. The Roman and Greek suits were, with slight difference, similarly laced together on the left, or shield side ; and on the shoulders were bands and clasps, comparatively narrow in those of the Ro- mans, which covered the joinings of the breast and back pieces on the shoulders, came from behind, and were fastened to a button on each breast. At the throat the suit of armor had always a double edging, often a band of brass or silver ; in the Roman, and often in the Greek, adorned with a lion's or a Gorgon's head. It was here that, in the time of Augustus, and probably much earlier, the warriors distinguished for particular acts of valor wore insignia ; a practice only revived by the moderns under the names of crosses and decora- tions. The Romans, it appears, had phiake and phalerce of honor, terms which have been supposed to signify bracelets and medals ; but all opinion on the subject was only conjectural previously to the discovery, on the bor- ders of the Rhine, of a monumental bass-relief, raised by the freedman of Marcus Caslius Lembo, tribune of the (xiix) 18th legion, who fell in the disastrous over-
Armor of a Human Soldier.
throw of Varus. The effigy is of three-quarter length, in a full suit of armor, with a laurel crown on the head, a Gallic twisted torque round the neck ; and from the lion-head shoulder-clasps of the cuirass hang two em- bossed bracelets, having beneath them a label with three points, from which are suspended five medals of honor; one large, on the pit of the stomach, represent- ing a face of Medusa ; and two on each side, one be- neath the other ; and all, as far as can be seen, charged with lions' faces and lions' heads in profile. The monu- ment is now in the museum of the university at Bonn. See Coat of Mail.
The girdle, or, more properly, the baldric or belt (cin-
gula or balteus), was used by the Hebrews under the name of "HTX, ezor' ("girdle"); it was of leather, studded with metal plates or bullae; when the armor was slight, broad, and capable of being girt upon the hips ; otherwise it supported the sword scarf-wise from the shoulder. See Girdle.
4. Gi eaves were likewise known, even so early as the time of David, for Goliath wore them. They con- sisted of a pair of shin-covers of brass or strong leather, bound by thongs round the calves and above the ankles. They reached only to the knees, excepting among the Greeks, whose greaves, elastic behind, caught nearly the whole leg, and were raised in front above the knees. The Hebrew word "J'XD, seon ("battle"), in Isaiah ix, 5, is supposed to mean a half- greave, though the passage is altogether obscure. Perhaps the war-boot may be explained by the war- shoe of Egypt with a metal point; and then the words might be rendered, "For every greave of the armed foot is with confused noise and garments rolled in blood," etc., instead of "every battle of the warrior," etc. But, after all, this is not quite satisfactory. — Kit- to, s. v. See Bkeastplate; Gheaves.