Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 34-35. (2014-2015)
Articles
34 D. M. Cioatä - К. В. Ötvös Fig. 2. Breastplate from Säräteni. Drawn by M. Ferenczi, photographed by A. Dobos. Musov (CZ)37 or Carnuntum (or Brigetio).38 Unfortunately, the details of the context of discovery were not preserved but we know for sure that it came from the fort from Säräteni so, most probably, it belonged to an officer from the auxiliary infantry unit stationed there. In the absence of more accurate data on the context of discovery one can say that it’s dating falls into the broad chronological limits of the middle of the 2nd century AD until the middle of the next century. The lorica squmata represent one of the most frequently used armors of the Roman army, which probably was easily produced and repaired.39 In the beginning the scales were fastened on a textile support or on a skin.40 From the 2nd century AD a 37 Komoróczy 2009, 124, Fig. 19. 38 Borhy 1994, 148. 39 Sim - Kaminski 2012, 100. 40 Feugere 1993, 125. more rigid armor was introduced41 on which the scales were fastened among themselves with the help of a wire. This type of armors were used at least in the 1st century AD both by legionaries and auxiliary units as well.42 We decided to discuss separately the fragments of the lorica squamata because on the basis of its form and material they seem to originate from a different armor. One could presume that such type of armor would not be produced from different scales but a certain uniformity of the defensive equipment would be kept. The scales from cat. nr. 3 are slightly wider and smaller than the ones from cat. nr. 2 and their lower parts are diagonally cut and rounded. The small size as well as the thickness of only 0,05 cm suggests a reduced protection, fact which does not exclude the use of such armors only in sport activities. 41 Bishop - Coulston 1993, 117; Bishop 2002, 62. 42 Bishop - Coulston 1993, 85.
