Lorica Segmentata

The lorica segmentata was the name of the main body armor for Roman soldiers. Initially the lorica segmentata was made of nothing but hardened leather and mail, but as time went on it evolved to be more protective. They improved the lorica by joining thick strips of metal (steel or iron) together with leather banding. The strips of metal were laid out horizontally. The leather holding them together was located on the underside of the metal.