12.6
But the right hand must be raised when the man intends to fling his javelin or strike a blow. Consequently that portion of the breastplate that hinders him in doing that should be removed; and in place of it there should be detachable flaps at the joints, in order that, when the arm is elevated, they may open correspondingly, and may close when it is lowered.
12.7
For the fore-arm it seems to us that the piece put over it separately like a greave is better than one that is bound up together with a piece of armour.i.e., with the breastplate. Schneider thought that τῷ should be inserted before ὅπλῳ The part that is left exposed when the right arm is raised should be covered near the breastplate with calf-skin or metal; otherwise the most vital part will be unprotected.
12.8
Since the rider is seriously imperilled in the event of his horse being wounded, the horse also should be armed, having head, chest, and thigh pieces: the last also serve to cover the rider’s thighs. But above all the horse’s belly must be protected; for this, which is the most vital part, is also the weakest. It is possible to make the cloth serve partly as a protection to it.
12.9
The quilting of the cloth should be such as to give the rider a safer seat and not to gall the horse’s back.
12.9
Thus horse and man alike will be armed in most parts.
