[TL] Iron/Steel Bracers, Greaves TL?

[Verjigorm]

Originally Posted by DanHoward

Polybius says that some of the hastati wore only one greave. He implies that these men were too poor to be able to afford two of them. If this is the case then the threat is irrelevant. They wore all the armour they could afford.

That may be the case, and it could just be that my secondary source was taking liberties with Polybius. Be that as it may, I don't think arrow fire was a prime motive for greaves amongst the Romans or Greeks, but especially the greeks: as hoplite warfare evolves and light troops play bigger roles, you see less greaves.

[DanHoward]

Skirmishers probably don't wear greaves because they interfere with running.

[doulos05]

Originally Posted by DanHoward

Skirmishers probably don't wear greaves because they interfere with running.

Right but more skirmishers means hoplites should continue to wear greaves because there are more ranged weapons on the field. However, the evidence suggests that they wore fewer greaves.

[Verjigorm]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

That may be the case, and it could just be that my secondary source was taking liberties with Polybius. Be that as it may, I don't think arrow fire was a prime motive for greaves amongst the Romans or Greeks, but especially the greeks: as hoplite warfare evolves and light troops play bigger roles, you see less greaves.

Right, but I was under the impression that by the time of the Peloponese wars, hoplite panoply was lighter, and the greaves were often absent. Could be due to welath interactions i guess.