Manica (armguard)

A manica (Latin: manica [ˈmanɪka], "sleeve";[1] Greek: χεῖρες, kheires, "sleeves") was a type of iron or copper-alloy laminated arm guard with curved, overlapping metal segments or plates fastened to leather straps worn by ancient and late antique heavy cavalry, infantry, and gladiators.

In Greek, Xenophon gives the terms χειρῖδας (kheiridas) and χεῖρα (kheira) in the Cyropaedia and his "On Cavalry," both of which describe the armor as covering from the shoulder to the hand as a complete sleeve.

[3][4] According to Xenophon, "kheires" (χεῖρες) which consisted of hoops of metal that would be worn on the rein arm of a cavalryman was a rather recent invention, suggesting it first emerged during the Achaemenid period around by end of the 5th century BCE.

[7][8] Fragments of the upper cuisse (thigh-guard) of an iron manica for the leg have been found in the excavations at Gamla, dated to the second half of the 1st century BCE.

[8] Finds identified as manicae have come from Carlisle, Trimontium (Newstead), Carnuntum, Richborough, Coria (Corbridge), Eining (Abusina) on the Danube frontier, Leon, and Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa.

[8] Ammianus also describes Roman cavalry (probably cataphractarii or clibanarii) on parade in 350 CE as having "...laminarum circuli tenues apti corporis flexibus ambiebant per omnia membra diducti."

[8] They are also attested archaeologically in this period, with finds of manica for the legs and arms excavated at Dura Europos in Syria and dated to shortly before the 257 destruction of the fortress, and a 5th century example was found at Bowes Moor in Britain.

[19] Schultheis believes this armor dates to the early 6th century based on apparent fragments of two Narona-type band helmets in the photographs.

[22] In Sogdia, frescoes from Panjakent suggest manica for the arms and legs remained in use until at least the turn of the 8th century CE, and may have evolved into early bazubands (combined forearm and elbow armor).

Each strip had holes at its lower edge, through which flat-headed copper alloy rivets passed from the inside to hold the leather straps in place.