"Dendra armoured infantry during the Trojan Wars?" Topic

I know there is a lot of uncertainties about the Trojan Wars, however is there any evidence to suggest that Mycenaean Dendra armoured troops were infantry or was it only worn by charioteers?

Raglan

Wasn't the Dendra armour well out of date by the Trojan War ?
Otherwise, I suspect nobody knows …

I doubt very much it was worn by infantry in any period.
First, it is very heavy.
Second, it is very expensive, and the only guys who could afford it would not be infantry. They would be in chariots.

Dendra armour is indeed dated early Mycenean period.
And was very expensive in those days.

There were most certainly not complete units in these heavy things, only high commanders. And because of the weight of the armour, they had chariots to ride across the battlefield. It still is not clear if the charged in with the chariots, or dismounted to fight.

Wasn't the Dendra armour well out of date by the Trojan War ?

The Linear B symbol in the Pylos palace archives for the corselet worn by a charioteer is three horizontal bars. It *could* represent bronze bands such as make up the Dendra armor, either full length or a shortened version. One translation of the Pylos archives suggests that the corselet was made up of 'things that hang', and that the palace was handing out 'things that hang' to some of the charioteers, to complete their armament.

All very suggestive, but I don't think we have any specimens from late Mycenaean times, or any clear representations in art.

From looking at the armour itself I very much doubt it was infantry kit. Not very easy to walk or run in.

According to Homer, the elderly King Nestor seems to have clung to the military traditions of the past. He and his household guards could have retained this archaic style. Alan

Dendra Armour describes Achilles Armour perfectly, the most vulnerable point being the back of the legs, somewhere near your Achilles tendon.

It also depends on whether you are after Homeric Trojan War or period Specific?

The Homeric tale has heroes from an earlier era as well as Late Mycenaen. Ajaxs shield, Achilles and Hecotors armours and other bits.

Take your pick.

As others said, I doubt that such heavily armored warriors were used on foot and during Trojan war. If used at all, probably not in complete units.

However, minis with Dendra armor are cool. I would use them as front rankers with back ranks of less well armored warriors.

Thank you gentlemen, you have provided some food for thought.

I quite like the idea of placing a few in either the front rank of a unit or as small bodyguard.

Raglan

I like the small body guard idea with nice character figure or 2.
Would look great.