Ocrea
（
κνημίς). A greave; a piece of defensive armour covering
the shin from the ankle to a little above the knee, and fastened by buckles or straps at the
back of the leg which was left uncovered (Varro,
L. L. v. 116). It was made of
metal (tin or bronze), and often ornamented, embossed, or chased with various designs. That
the greaves were an important feature of the warrior's equipment is
 |
|
Bronze Greaves found at Pompeii.
|
seen by the epithet
εὐκνημίδες continually applied by
Homer to the Greeks, and from the minuteness with which he describes their various parts,
especially the ankle-rings (
ἐπισφύρια), which were often of
silver (
Il. iii. 331). Several species of bronze greaves have been found at
Pompeii, probably belonging to the gladiators.
 |
|
Greek Warrior wearing Greaves. (Hope.)
|
