lorica hamata

The term "lorica hamata" refers to a type of armor worn by Roman soldiers. Specifically, it was a mail shirt made of small iron rings, typically less than half an inch in diameter, linked together to form a protective fabric. This type of armor, also known as chain mail, provided good protection against cutting and piercing weapons.1

The fabrication of mail was a labor-intensive process. Initially, links were hand-forged and riveted. Later, armorers developed methods to cut rings from metal sheets, reducing the cost and effort involved. While effective, the main disadvantage of mail was its weight, which could hang heavily from the shoulders and waist. Roman soldiers sometimes addressed this by lacing mail shoulder defenses to leather plates. The lorica hamata was a common piece of equipment for Roman legionaries for a significant period.1