Armor has a very long history. As early as the Greek era, armor was a display of wealth and status. It provided exceptional protection and was difficult to manufacture. This was also true for the Romans, who were influenced by Etruscan culture. However, by the mid-to-late Republican era and even the Imperial era, muscle armor’s greatest value was to display status and wealth.
During the Imperial era, various types of armor more suitable for combat had emerged, from flexible chain mail to sturdy ring mail, and even plate mail that combined both. However, only armor with various carvings could demonstrate the wearer’s extraordinary status. As you can imagine, if muscle armor was made of bronze, it would have shone brightly in the sun, while if it was made of iron, it would have reflected a harsh white light.
Naturally, in the legions of the Imperial era, armor was likely worn only by a few noble officers or senior centurions. Their more important role was command and morale, rather than combat. As for the emperor’s armor, it must be the most gorgeous in the entire empire. Although the Roman emperor did not have the habit of being deified during his lifetime, he still needed to establish his lofty status, and gorgeous armor was one of his best works.