[Hetty_Fauxvert]

The three graduated bands on the bottom puzzle me. I am not in any way an expert on armor, so maybe someone can enlighten me. It seems to me that the way they are constructed, with the opening on the top of each band instead of the bottom, would guide a sword or spear right into the body (since most blows would come from above, rather than below). That seems impractical, to say the least. Anyone have thoughts on this?

[Fraxinus]

The gap at the top of the bands is probably to make movement more practical, and the threat of blows coming in through the gap is minimal, as long (16+ft)spears cannot deliver a blow from that angle and most swords of the era were slashing weapons.

I doubt that many of these scholors have any clue how the weapons and armor were actually employed.

[bannie]

The bands are probably built on the principle of collapsible cups.

Only upside down.

[SunkenCiv]

The bands are arranged for ease of movement (walking or running forward). Also the warrior had a shield to fend off attack, and there was also a great deal of spear use in Mycenaean warfare, just as there was in later, classical Greece.

[P H Lewis]

If the wearer was on foot, then I can understand you point about how the bands overlap, but if the wearer was in a chariot fighting against an opponent on foot, then he'd have a height advantage and the way the bands overlap would make sense. Also, if the wearer was in a chariot, the weight of the armor would be less of an issue. No expert here, just my two cents.