cuirass

A cuirass is a piece of torso armor that protects the chest and often the back, forming the central element of plate armor. It may be a single front piece (breastplate) or a two‑part system with a front cuirass and a backplate connected by straps or hinges. It is designed to shield vital organs while preserving mobility.

Etymology and forms: The term derives from the French cuirasse, from cuir, leather, reflecting early use of hardened leather or metal over leather. In antiquity, the muscle cuirass (cuirass musculata) was a bronze or iron cuirass sculpted to resemble the torso, notably worn by some Roman soldiers.

Historical development: In medieval and Renaissance armor, cuirasses evolved into two-piece "full" or "back-and-front" plates, typically steel or iron, sometimes worn with accompanying pauldrons, vambraces, and a gorget. By the 16th–18th centuries, the cuirass was standard for heavy cavalry in many European armies and for some infantry units. With increasing use of firearms, its practical protection declined, but it persisted in ceremonial, parade, and certain elite units into the 19th century.

Modern usage and legacy: Today, cuirasses are primarily seen in museums, reenactments, film, and ceremonial uniforms. The term remains synonymous with a breastplate or torso armor and remains an important symbol in the history of personal armor.