Segmentata

Bishop, M.C. Lorica Segmentata Volume I p. 9-10 The view that auxilia were light troops originates from Vegetius' comment that "auxilia are always joined as light troops with the legions in the line".

Goldsworthy Roman Warfare 127 However, on another Trajanic monument (the Adamclisi Tropaeum ) the lorica segmentata does not appear at all, and legionaries and auxilia alike are depicted wearing either mail or scales ( lorica squamata ).

Legionaries are uniformly depicted wearing the lorica segmentata and carrying the curved rectangular shield.

L. Rossi Trajan's Column and the Dacian Wars (Thames & Hudson 1971) 102 On this basis, it has been supposed that lorica segmentata was used by legionaries only.

Some experts are of the opinion that the Adamclisi monument is a more accurate portrayal of the situation, Mattingly op cit 207 the segmentata used rarely, maybe only for set-piece battles and parades.

The plates of lorica segmentata armour were soft iron inside and (some at least) were mild steel on the outside, making the plates hardened against damage without becoming brittle.