Board Thread:Fun and Games/@comment-26065088-20170428203828/@comment-26890432-20170502215217

The Lorica Segmentata provided excellent protection, that wouldn't be achieved again until centuries later. The reason it fell out of use was certainly not it's effectiveness, but it's production and maintenance. In the Late Empire, Rome didn't have the time or money to keep cranking out and servicing what was essentially armour centuries ahead of it's time. While heavy, the weight of the cuirass was effectively spread out across the shoulders, like modern-day military platecarriers: movement was pretty easy.

The switch had nothing to do with mobility. The Imperial-era Roman Legions, the ones who wore the Lorica Segmentata, were very mobile, almost always on the move for new conquests. Evidence for this is found in that during this period, the Roman Army employed very little fortifications, save to protect their camps in the winter season. Also, an various carvings and reliefs, in addition to documented sources, Roman Soldiers are seen to be building bridges and roads for further expansion, while in their armour, and marching absurd distances per day. If anything, the Legions were more stationary during the Late Empire, as fortifications grew in importance and the Legions became primarily posted as garrisons and in defensive roles.