Editing Lorica segmentata (section)

== Usage ==

It is unclear who used this armor. On monuments, ''[[Auxilia]]'' are generally shown wearing mail, not [[cuirass]]es, and carrying oval shields. Roman depictions of legionaries, such as those found on [[Trajan's Column|Trajan's column]] often depict them wearing the ''lorica segmentata''.<ref>L. Rossi ''Trajan's Column and the Dacian Wars'' (Thames & Hudson 1971) 102</ref> On this basis, it has been supposed that ''lorica segmentata'' was exclusively used by [[Legionary|legionaries]] and [[Praetorian Guard|praetorians]].<ref name=":0" />  However, some historians consider [[Trajan's Column]] to be inaccurate as a historical source due to its inaccurate and stylized portrayal of Roman armor. These historians also say that "it is probably safest to interpret the Column reliefs as 'impressions', rather than accurate representations."<ref name=":0" />  

The discovery of parts of the ''lorica segmentata'' at areas where auxiliary soldiers would have been stationed implies that auxiliary troops used the ''lorica segmentata''. However, it is entirely possible that the reason behind the presence of the ''lorica segmentata'' in these areas could be that these areas had a small number of legionaries stationed there.<ref name=":0" /> On the [[Tropaeum Traiani|Adamclisi ''Tropaeum'']], the ''lorica segmentata'' does not appear at all, and legionaries and ''auxilia'' alike are depicted wearing the ''[[lorica squamata]]''. Some experts are of the opinion that the Adamclisi monument is a more accurate portrayal of the situation.<ref>Mattingly op cit 207</ref>

It may have been used rarely, maybe only for [[Pitched battle|set-piece battles]] and [[Parade|parades]]. This viewpoint considers the figures in Trajan's Column to be highly stereotyped, in order to distinguish clearly between different types of troops.<ref>Rossi op cit 59</ref> It is also debated if the lorica segmentata was only used in the west. All archaeological finds of such armor has been made in 16 countries in the western part of the Roman Empire but never in the east.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Review of: Lorica Segmentata. Vol. II: A Catalogue of Finds. JRMES Monograph, 2 |url=https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2004/2004.02.49 |journal=Bryn Mawr Classical Review |issn=1055-7660}}</ref>