What was the purpose of a cuirass?
What was the purpose of a cuirass?
cuirass, body armour that protects the torso of the wearer above the waist or hips. Originally it was a thick leather garment covering the body from neck to waist, consisting of a breastplate and a backpiece fastened together with straps and buckles and a gorget, a collar protecting the throat.
What is a leather breastplate called?
A cuirass (/kwɪˈræs, kjʊəˈræs/; French: cuirasse, Latin: coriaceus) is a piece of armour that is formed of a single or multiple pieces of metal or other rigid material which covers the torso. The word originates from the original material; leather, from the French cuirace and Latin word coriacea.
What is a Greek cuirass?
THORAX. The Greek term for a cuirass, either of metal (usually bronze) or of leather. The metal cuirass consisted of two separate pieces, one covering the chest and stomach, and the other the back, attached to one another by means of clasps or buckles.
Is leather armor a real thing?
Functional leather armor is armor that is made to battle-ready specifications. This armor would hold up in a battle, and thus is made with historically accurate tools and techniques. Functional leather armor is multi-layered, bonded, and most likely fully or at least partially studded with metal for added protection.
Can leather stop a sword?
Yes. Leather is actually rather effective against swords and not as heavy as metal.
Is leather armor a myth?
Absolutely not. Leather armor did exist, although it was not soft leather armor, but boiled leather (cuir boulli).
What is the meaning of the word cuirass?
cui·rass | \\kwi-ˈras, kyu̇-\\. 1 : a piece of armor covering the body from neck to waist also : the breastplate of such a piece. 2 : something (such as bony plates covering an animal) resembling a cuirass.
What is cuirass armor?
cuirass – medieval body armor that covers the chest and back backplate – plate armor protecting the back; worn as part of a cuirass body armor, body armour, cataphract, coat of mail, suit of armor, suit of armour – armor that protects the wearer’s whole body
What is the difference between a cuirass and a chest plate?
The use of the term “cuirass” generally refers to both the chest plate (or breastplate) and the back piece together. Whereas a chest plate only protects the front and a back plate only protects the back, a cuirass protects both the front and the back.
What colour is the cuirass on the back of a horse?
Round the women in wider circles were others,—three thousand men,—also in white, but with each a glittering cuirass and cimeter. The colour of the cuirass on the back is iron grey, and on the flanks and tail of a light grey with spots of iron grey.
