In a surprising turn of events, the Dendra armor, initially thought to be purely ceremonial, has been proven to be effective in battle after new tests. Mycenaean warriors from the Late Bronze Age, equipped with this full-body bronze plate suit, were found to be some of the best equipped soldiers in the Eastern Mediterranean. Despite its cumbersome design, the armor was found to be functional through elaborate research and testing. This discovery challenges previous beliefs about ancient Greek armor and sheds light on the military strategies of the Mycenaeans. With Homer’s epic descriptions in mind, researchers set out to prove the practicality of the Dendra armor through physical testing.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/05/researchers-get-modern-marines-to-test-ancient-greek-armor/