Ancient Armor from Different Cultures

We see it in various movies and TV shows all the time, but most people don’t think about the ancient armor from different cultures other than to note the difference in appearance. The truth is that various armors helped many armies to dominate their opponents back in their day.

Japanese Karuta Armor

This was, essentially, the type of armor worn by samurai, from the foot soldiers up to the most esteemed among them. The only real difference between one set of armor and another was the ornamentation used to denote clan, rank, and other signs of status.

Hercules Armor

This was heavy, metal armor that covered a person from head to toe. While it was great for defense, it was also rather cumbersome. In a way, it was like a giant shell that offered limited mobility.

Islamic Cataphract Armor

Made of iron or bronze scales stiffened by leather, this armor was typically used for cavalry. It was meant to protect the horse as well, but from the look of it, the mobility it offered might have been suspect.

Italian Infantry Armor

Used for infantry, as described, or for light cavalry, this armor featured an open-faced helmet that didn’t feel ideal. Apart from this, it effectively protects one’s upper body.

Tibetan Calvary Armor

Rattan was commonly used in this type of armor, which was meant to keep riders safe while allowing them to attack simultaneously. The higher one’s rank, the more likely it was that their armor would feature metal adornments.

Moro Armor

While it’s not the sturdiest armor ever created, Moro armor is still tough and underrated. The plates are situated to guard the wearer’s torso, while the fittings are typically metal and very difficult to cut through.

Byzantine Armor

As with many armors, a soldier’s rank made a big difference in what they wore. The simplest but still efficient form was padded cloth that fell to the knees, while higher-ranking soldiers would wear metal armor that could differ from rank to rank.

Bronze Cuirasses

When one thinks of the Spartans, one might think of the movie “300”, but hopefully, some folks will do their research. The Spartans wore armor when heading into battle, and the cuirass was, in a way, a large suit of armor built to cover the torso and protect the front and back.

Ichcahuipilli

If you’ve ever watched “The Deadliest Warrior” and managed to watch the Aztec Jaguar take on the Xande Warrior, this piece of armor appeared. It is made of thick cloth soaked in brine to toughen and stiffen it up, making it a very serious piece of body armor.

Chainmail

Many armies used chainmail in their day, and some wore chainsmail suits beneath heavier metal plates of armor. On its own, though, chainmail is insanely resilient and capable of stopping many weapons.