Since antiquity, soldiers have worn protective clothing while in combat. The earliest type of body armor was usually a cloak layered with leather, wood, or shells. With their advanced ability to work with metals, the Greeks made large bronze plates to cover parts of the body. The plates for the chest and back were joined by suspenders over the shoulders. In addition, they created springy metal shin guards and fancy helmets. Around 300 b.c. the Romans created the first known examples of mail, a series of interlocked metal rings. They later crafted the lorica seamentata , metal plates shaped to encircle the body while allowing freedom for arm movements. By the first century a.d., Roman soldiers wore iron helmets equipped with large cheek pieces and a neck guard. During the Middle Ages, armor grew in sophistication and usage. Knights wore long metal coats of mail, called hauberks (the...