Anatomical greaves are bronze plates shaped to the warrior’s leg. They were worn above the shinbone on both legs.
Greaves were essential for the hoplite. They protected the legs, the only exposed part not protected by the shield.
The typical greaves from the 6th to 5th centuries BC, in ancient Greece, Etruria, and the rest of ancient Italy, have a typical anatomical shape, imitating the shape of the leg muscles.
How were anatomical greaves worn? Simply slip the leg over the leg from above, using your hands to ensure the greaves fit snugly.
Some finds also feature pairs of holes, usually at the ankle and sometimes at the calf. Some warriors, for greater security, therefore preferred to secure their greaves with laces.
