This was a thread that disappeared with the HDD crash. For those who missed it the first time, I've commissioned Jeffrey Hildebrandt to make a reconstruction of Agamemnon's cuirass as it is described in the Iliad.

Here is a thread with the ongoing discussion with Jeffrey.
http://z8.invisionfree.com/Bronze_Age_Center/...topic=1792

Progress pics

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That looks fantastic! Really looking forward to see the completed version.

Oh this looks wonderful; very shiny indeed. I am really looking forward to the next update!

WOW! I am excited for you.

I was very much hoping that this thread would come back. What a beautiful cuirass. The lifework/shaping is very nice--I love the non-tubular taper towards the waistline. Fantastic!

The thread that is linked above shows some of my thoughts and interpretations but there is a more complete analysis of all of the armour in the Iliad in my book.
http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Bronze-Age-Mil...nt/p/3272/

If anyone has any specific questions, I'll try to answer them.

This is what inspired me to ask Jeff to attempt Agamemnon's armour. Hopefully he has enough bronze projects lined up now that he doesn't have to work with that girly steel stuff any more :p
http://z8.invisionfree.com/Bronze_Age_Center/...topic=1790

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It looks like the pieces in wich some sea people are shown on the reliefs in Medinet Habu, doesn't it?

Was this kind of cuirass weared with a thick, hard leather/felt inlay?

The small coils near the breast and the abdominal lines on some of the the Medinet Habu carvings look a little like a stylized version of Mr. Howard's cuirass

Proposed detail for the snake head that will decorate the chest area. Ceramit will be used as a modern substitute for enamel.

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Here is a bracelet that Jeff made to try out some of the techniques and materials that are going to be used. The stripes are tin, gold, and ceramit. The armour will also have rolled edges and herringbone borders. The whole thing is covered with Renaissance Wax. The tin has turned out to be too hard to control and take way too long to apply. Aluminium leaf will be used as a substitute.

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That is gorgeous. I'm really looking forward to seeing this project as it unfolds.

"... And toward the opening at the throat there were rearing up serpents of cobalt, three on either side, like rainbows, which the son of Kronos has marked upon the clouds, to be a portent to mortals." [Iliad, XI.26-28]

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I've been watching this with avid interest both here and on BAC. That is just lovely armor--such skill!

Rolled edges and herringbone borders are done. Jeff has started working on the shoulder closures.

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Dan, last week I read your book "Bronze Age Military Equipment." It was a very meaty and fun to read. Impressive scholarship. Now seeing this cuirass, I realize how much research and thought is going into it. I am sure everyone here has read Dan's book, but if not you can buy it on Amazon. I highly recommend it.

http://www.amazon.com/Bronze-Age-Military-Equ...+equipment

Thanks Philip. I'm glad you liked it. Good to see that Amazon has a Kindle edition now.

before i grab this thing on kindle, since I've got an older edition that is only monochrome, how picture heavy is this book out of curiosity?

btw, the cuirass looks gorgeous

It is mostly text but there are a handful of colour plates in the centre. Kirk Lee Spencer's Mycenaean sword diagrams make up the last appendix.