SASSANID ARMOR: BACKGROUND, DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The aim of this article is to study the Sassanid armor types and their construction methods based on Sassanid rock reliefs, surviving fragments, armor depicted on Sassanid dishes and stone statues in Iran. The article explains the construction methods of different armor types used by the Sassanids during their rule and how Sassanids influenced the development of armor technology and were influenced by other cultures. Different types of armor used by Sassanids such as mail armor, scale armor, laminated armor (vambraces and greaves), and lamellar armor and their origins are discussed in the article. Hand, arm and leg protection as well as different helmet types used by Sassanids are also analyzed. These include simple bandhelm type, four-part bandhelm type, spangenhelm (strap helmets) type and lamellar helmet type. Different types of shields used by Sassanids are also discussed in the article. Next to archaeological finds, stone and rock reliefs as well as Sassanid iconography are analyzed to describe different types of armor used by Sassanids.