Editing Lorica segmentata (section)

== Construction ==

The plates in the ''lorica segmentata'' armor were made by overlapping [[Ferrous metallurgy|ferrous]] plates that were then riveted to straps made from [[leather]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bishop|first=M.C|title=The Newstead lorica segmentata|journal=Journal of Roman Military Equipment Studies|volume= 10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Bishop|first=M.C|title=Excavations at Roman Cordbridge|publisher=English Heritage|year=1988}}</ref> It is unknown what animal was used to make the leather and if it was [[Tanning (leather)|tanned]] or tawed.<ref name=":0" /> The plates were made of soft iron on the inside and rolled mild steel on the outside.<ref name=":0" /> This made the plates hardened against damage without making them brittle.<ref>David Sim (at Reading University)</ref> This [[case hardening]] was done by packing organic matter tightly around them and heating them in a forge, transferring carbon from the burnt materials into the surface of the metal.<ref name="Iron for the Eagles, by David Sim & Isabel Ridge, p.96">"Iron for the Eagles", by David Sim & Isabel Ridge</ref> The plates were made from beating out [[Ingot|ingots]].<ref name=":0" /> 

The strips were arranged horizontally on the body, overlapping downwards, and they surrounded the torso in two halves, being fastened at the front and back. Additional strips, shoulder guards, [[Breastplate|breastplates]], and backplates were used to protect the upper body and the shoulders. The form of the armor allowed it to be stored very compactly, since it was possible to separate it into four sections, each of which would collapse on itself into a compact mass. The fitments that closed the various plate sections together (buckles, lobate hinges, hinged straps, tie-hooks, tie-rings, etc.) were made of [[brass]]. In later variants dating from around 75–80 C.E., the fastenings of the armor were simplified. 

Bronze hinges were removed in favor of simple rivets, belt fastenings used small hooks, and the lowest two girdle plates were replaced by one broad plate. The component parts of the ''lorica segmentata'' moved in synchronization with the other parts.<ref name=":0" /> This made the armor more flexible.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Webster|first=Graham|title=The Roman Imperial Army of the First and Second Century A.D.|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|year=1985|isbn=0-8061-3000-8}}</ref> The armor was very long lasting. The Kalkriese type of armor lasted 55 years, the Corbridge armor lasted 70 years, and the Newstead type lasted 90 years. {{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}