Complete Sets of Armor: A Historical Overview

Complete sets of armor have been a hallmark of many cultures and historical periods, providing warriors and knights with vital protection in combat. These sets typically consist of multiple pieces designed to cover the entire body, offering a formidable defense against weapons like swords, spears, and arrows.

Historical Examples

• Medieval Plate Armor: This is perhaps the most iconic type of armor, popular in Europe during the High and Late Middle Ages. It was made from hardened steel plates, often riveted or articulated together for flexibility. A full suit of plate armor could be quite heavy but provided excellent protection.
   

  Medieval Plate Armor
• Roman Lorica Segmentata: A popular Roman type of armor, it was made of rectangular iron or steel plates that were linked together by leather straps or metal rings. This design allowed for a good degree of flexibility while still offering substantial protection.
   

  Roman Lorica Segmentata
• Samurai Armor: Known as ō-yoroi or sō-shin-yoroi, samurai armor was typically made of lacquered wood or bamboo plates covered with iron or leather. It often included a helmet with a distinctive kabuto design.
  

  Samurai Armor
• Greek Hoplite Armor: Hoplites, the heavy infantry of ancient Greece, wore a type of armor known as hopla. This typically included a bronze breastplate, a greave for the shin, and a helmet.
  

  Greek Hoplite Armor

Components of a Complete Set

A typical complete set of armor often includes:

• Helmet: Protects the head.
• Breastplate: Covers the chest and abdomen.
• Backplate: Protects the back.
• Pauldrons: Covers the shoulders.
• Coif: Protects the neck.
• Vambraces: Covers the forearms.
• Gauntlets: Protects the hands.
• Tassets: Covers the lower torso.
• Cuisses: Covers the thighs.
• Greaves: Covers the shins.
• Sabatons: Protects the feet.

Note: The specific components and design of armor sets could vary depending on the culture, historical period, and the intended use of the armor. For example, armor designed for cavalry might have different requirements than armor for infantry.