 While heavy, intricate armour was not uncommon (cataphracts), the Romans perfected a relatively light, full torso armour made of segmented plates (lorica segmentata).This segmented armour provided good protection for vital areas, but did not cover as much of the body as lorica hamata or chainmail.The lorica segmentata provided better protection, but the plate bands were expensive and difficult to produce and difficult to repair in the field.