Editing Lorica segmentata (section)

== History ==


Despite the armor being commonly associated with the Romans, the technology behind the ''lorica segmentata'' was old by the time it was introduced into the Roman infantry. The [[Dendra panoply]] is an example from the 15th century BC of articulated plate defense using a similar technique of overlapping curved plates. [[Laminar armour|Laminated]] armor was also used by the [[Parthian Empire|Parthians]] and possibly the [[Dacia]]ns, [[Scythians]], or [[Sarmatians]] before the Romans adopted it. Some sets of limb armor of this type combined with [[Scale armour|scale armor]] dating back to the 4th century BC have been found in archaeological sites located in the [[steppe]]. It is possible the [[Manica (armguard)]] was worn by [[Gladiator|gladiators]] before it was introduced for military use.<ref name=":0" /> 

Although the exact time at which the Romans adopted the armor remains unknown, it is possible that the ''lorica segmentata'' was introduced after [[Marcus Licinius Crassus|Crassus']] [[Battle of Carrhae|defeat at Carrhae]] in 53 BC.<ref name=":0" /> Another possibility is that the armor was adopted in 21 AD after the [[Revolt of Sacrovir|Revolt of Julius Sacrovir and Julius Florus]].<ref name=":0" /> Since an archeological research conducted in [[Kalkriese]] confirmed that the soldiers at the [[Battle of the Teutoburg Forest]] in 9 AD wore the ''lorica segmentata'', it is assumed that this armor must have been in use before 9 AD.<ref name=":0" /> 

Around the middle of the third century the ''lorica segmentata'' fell out of favor with the [[Roman army]], although it did remain in use during the [[History of the Roman Empire#Late Roman Empire|Late Roman Empire]].<ref name=":0" /> Soldiers wearing the ''lorica segmentata'' were depicted on the [[Arch of Constantine]], a monument erected in Rome in 315. However, it has been argued that these depictions are from an [[Column of Marcus Aurelius|earlier monument]] by [[Marcus Aurelius]], from which [[Constantine the Great]] incorporated portions into his Arch.<ref name=":0" /> The latest known use of the armor was therefore in the 4th century.<ref name=":0" />

Over time the type of ''lorica segmentata'' would change. From 9 BC to 43 AD the Roman soldier wore the [[Dangstetten]]-[[Kalkriese]]-[[Vindonissa]] types, from 69 to 100 the [[Corbridge]]-[[Carnuntum]] type was used. From 164 to 180, the [[Newstead, Scottish Borders|Newstead]] type was used.{{sfn|D'Amato|Sumner|2009|p=131}} The time the armors were used overlapped. It is possible that there was a fourth type, covering the body with segmented armor joined to [[scale armour|scale]] shoulder defenses. However, this is only known from one badly damaged statue originating at [[Alba Iulia]] in Romania. This armor was used from about 14 BC to the late 3rd century AD.{{sfn|D'Amato|Sumner|2009|p=130}} The ''lorica segmentata's'' use in the Roman army was geographically widespread, but the [[mail (armour)|mail]] armor ''[[lorica hamata]]'' may have been more common at all times.