page_title: Linothorax
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Linothorax / History
caption_attribution_description: The detail of the Alexander Mosaic showing Alexander the Great.
context_page_description: The linothorax is a type of upper body armor used throughout the ancient Mediterranean world. The term linothorax is a modern term based on the Greek λινοθώραξ, which means "wearing a breastplate of linen"; however, the actual ancient term for this type of armor is unclear. The term thorax was the word for breastplate during this era and was traditionally made of metal in most contexts. The linothorax were made of linen glued in layers with animal fat, and eventually adopted by many armies.
  The linothorax appears to have been used in place of the bronze "bell cuirass" as the popular choice of armor for Greek hoplites, starting perhaps around the late seventh century and early sixth century B.C. This could have been due to the lower price, lesser weight, and cooler material. Its high point in vase paintings, sculptural reliefs and artistic depictions corresponds with the time of the Persian Wars. By the time of the Peloponnesian War it was still used, and continued to seemingly flourish well into the Hellenistic period.
context_section_description: The linothorax was used by many nations around the Mediterranean.  
  The most known users of this style of chest plate was the army of Alexander the Great during the Hellenistic era. Such a light, cool material used for the armor would allow the Macedonians to keep cool in the hot, arid climates of Asia Minor.
  When recreated and tested by the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the linothorax was resistant to broad-head arrows and slashing damage of weapons with sharp edges. The bend of the fabric would allow the energy of the arrows to dissipate through the material and protect the user from lacerations, and arrows that struck at an angle would often deflect to penetrate a space between different layers of linen, rather than penetrating the linen itself. Blunt force trauma would still transfer through the armor, however, and possibly damage the internal organs of the soldier. This design would be very effective against the standard weapons of the Asia Minor armies: swords, spears, and light axes.
  Macedonian Hypaspists equipped spolas (Greek: σπολάς), which was linothorax with lighter design. The use of the spolas lightened a hoplite's standard load, in comparison to the standard metal thorax/cuirass.
caption: The Alexander Mosaic of Pompeii, depicting Alexander the Great, king of Macedon, wearing the linothorax[3]
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