Cardiophylax
Cardiophylax (a name of Greek origin, meaning “heart protector”) — is an antique chest armor, primarily protecting the area around the heart, from which it got its name. Usually, a cardiophylax consists of one or two metal parts: the one protects the torso, and the other protects the back. The parts were interconnected by leather straps. The body armor type was mainly used by the inhabitants of the Italian peninsula, where it appeared even before the 7th century BCE. Similar armor existed in the Middle East and consisted of two round breast plates, which may indicate that it was spread to the troops of Urartu from the ninth century BCE. Subsequently, cardiophylax comes closer to full scale breast plates, becoming bigger and acquiring a stylized relief formed as human torso.
Etruscan warrior in cardiophylax. Cerveteri, National Museum, inv. 60157. 7th-5th century BCESmall breastplates and complete cuirasses are distinct forms of protection. Every muscle cuirass cannot be treated as the direct development of one cardiophylax, nor can one universal replacement sequence be assumed.
Chest protection is especially characteristic in depictions of provocatores. Form, material and attachment should be compared with particular evidence rather than inferred for all gladiators from one name.
Provocator's fragment in a lamellar cardiophylaxis on a bas-relief. Milas Museum, Turkey, 1-2 century CE
A bas-relief fragment with gladiators, marble. Pompeii, Stabian Gate, National Archaeological Museum, Naples. 20-50 CE
Scale cardiophylax, reconstructionSimilar topics
Gladiator,The provocator,Lorica Musculata,Lorica Segmentata,Lorica Squamata,Lorica Hamata
Literature and sources
- Katrien Maes, Maria Luisa Nava, Stele Daunie. I., L'antiquité classique, Tome 53, p. 547-549,1984.
- Frank Van Wonterghem, Raffaella Papi, Dischi-corazza abruzzesi a decorazione geometrica nei musei italiani., Compte rendu, L'antiquité classique, Tome 62, p. 554-555,1993.
- Bloch Raymond. Matériel villanovien et étrusque archaïque du Musée du Louvre. In: Monuments et mémoires de la Fondation Eugène Piot, tome 59,1974. p. 45-70.
- F. De Backer, Un plastron d'époque assyrienne, Res Antiquae, no 9, p. 221-230,2012.
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