 The term "thorax" was the word for breastplate during this era and was traditionally made of metal in most contexts.The "linothorax" were made of linen glued in layers with animal fat, and eventually adopted by many armies.The "linothorax" appears to have been used in place of the bronze "bell cuirass" as the popular choice of armor for Greek hoplites, starting perhaps around the late seventh century and early sixth century B.C.