Armor

AR'MOR. See also War. Weapons or instruments of defence. These were in general the shield or buckler, the target, the coat of mail, the greaves, and the helmet. Egyptian Shields. (After Eosellini.) The shield or buckler was probably one of the earliest pieces of armor, for allusion is often made to it by the earliest writers. Gen 15:1; Ps 5:12; Ps 18:2; Ps 47:9. It was of various sizes, and usually made of light wood and covered with several folds or thicknesses of stout hide, which were preserved and polished by frequent applications of oil, Isa 21:5, and often painted with circles of various colors or figures. Nah 2:3. Sometimes osiers, or reeds woven like basket-work, were used to stretch the hide upon, and sometimes the shield was made either entirely of brass or gold, or covered with thick plates of those metals. 1 Kgs 14:26, 2 Chr 11:21. It was of various forms, but generally circular or oblong. The shield was held by the 1, 2. Assyrian Mail. (Nineveh Marbles.) 3. Part of Chain Mail. (From Kouyunjik.) 4. Greek Cuirass. (From Temple Collections.) 5. Persian Mail. left arm. The hand passed through under two straps or thongs placed thus, X. and grasped with the fingers another small strap near the edge of the shield, so that it was held with great firmness. A single handle of wood or leather in the centre was used in later times. The outer surface was made more or less rounding from the centre to the edge, and being polished smooth made the arrows or darts glance off or rebound with increased force; and the edges were armed with plates of iron, not only to strengthen them, but to preserve the perishable part from the dampness while lying upon the ground. In times of peace the shield was kept in a covering. In times of engagement the shields were either held above the head or they were placed together edge to edge, and thus formed a continuous barrier. The target was a long shield, protecting the whole body, larger than the bucklers above described. 1 Kgs 10:16, 2 Sam 21:17. It is usually mentioned in connection with heavy arms, while the shield is spoken of with the sword, dart, and other light arms. It probably resembled the great shield of the Romans, which in some cases was four feet high and two and a half feet broad, and so curved as to fit the body of the soldier. The coat of mail of Goliath, 1 Sam 17:5, covered the body upon and below the breast and back, and was probably like a shirt covered with rows of brass pieces overlapping one another; and this may have been the usual form. The habergeon of Neh 4:16 is a different translation of the same word. The article so called formed part of the high priest's dress, and "is supposed to have been of linen, thickly woven or quilted, with a binding on the neck, and plated on the breast with mail." Greaves or boots, 1 Sam 17:6, were for the protection of the legs, being made of brass and fastened by leather thongs over the shins. They are mentioned only as a part of the armor of Goliath, and probably were not in common use among the Hebrews, though they were almost universal among the Greeks and Romans. Helmet. This was a cap, the diverse shapes of which are seen in the figures of the archers, slinger, bearers of shields. In early times skins of the heads of animals were used, but afterward it was made of thick, tough hide, and sometimes of plated brass, 1 Sam 17:38, and usually crowned with a crest or plume as an ornament. Armor-bearer. Jud 9:54. An officer selected by kings and generals from the bravest of their favorites, whose service Egyptian Battle-axes. (From Rosellini and Chattipollion.) it was, not only to bear their armor, but to stand by them in danger and carry their orders, somewhat after the manner of adjutants in modern service. 1 Sam 16:21 and 1 Sam 31:4. Egyptian Maces and Clubs. Assyrian Maces.