Manica (armguard)

Reenactment of a second century Roman legionary wearing a manica over his right arm

A manica (Latin: manica [ˈmanɪka], "sleeve"[1]) or cheires by the Greeks was a type of iron or bronze arm guard, with curved and overlapping metal segments or plates, fastened to leather straps, worn by Roman gladiators called crupellarii, and later optionally by soldiers.

  1. ^ Article by James Yates, M.A., F.R.S., on p. 729 of William Smith, D.C.L., LL.D.:A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875. [1]