What is pteruges?

Pteruges were strips of leather or fabric attached to the lower edge of a helmet or armor to provide protection for the neck and shoulders in ancient Greek and Roman military attire. They were typically made of leather or linen and were often embellished with metal studs or decorations.

Pteruges were commonly used by infantry soldiers in ancient times, as they provided additional protection without restricting the wearer's movement. They were also sometimes worn by gladiators in the arena to protect them from blows to the neck and shoulders.

Pteruges fell out of use by the medieval period as full suits of armor became more common, but they can still be seen in historical reenactments and theatrical performances depicting ancient warfare.