''Muscle'' Armor

By Crusader1307

Also identified as “”Hero Armor”, these components were Cuirass or Breastplate type constructions. Made of bronze, they were designed to provide protection to the wearer's torso. They featured a Back Attachment (in some cases) – or were simply held in place via leather straps around the back. Noted for their stylized engraved “Chest Muscles” (to denote the masculine), Nobility would often have even more stylized musculature engraved onto the Plate. They were seen in abundance during the 4th and 5th Centuries B.C. On average, Muscle Armor weighed around 25 pounds. of heavy boiled Leather Greeks often used thunderbolts or “The Head of Medusa” (a mythological creature) as decoration for this armor. Adopted by Ancient Rome, often mythological scenery and war-related art were engraved onto them as well. Often certain Greek Gods are depicted wearing “Heroic Armor”.