CATAPHRACTA, (from κατά, and φέρων, I, fortify or arm), in the ancient military art, a piece of heavy defensive armour, formed of cloth or leather, fortified with iron scales or links, wherewith sometimes only the breast, sometimes the whole body, and sometimes the horse too, was covered. It was in use among the Sarmatians, Persians, and other barbarians. The Romans also adopted it early for their foot; and, according to Vegetius, kept to it till the time of Gratian, when the military discipline growing remiss, and field exercises and labour discontinued, the Roman foot thought the cataphracta as well as the helmet too great a load to bear, and therefore threw both by, choosing rather to march against the enemy bare-breasted; by which, in the war with the Goths, multitudes were destroyed.

CATAPHRACTÆ NAVES, ships armed and covered in fight, so that they could not be easily damaged by the enemy. They were covered over with boards or planks, on which the soldiers were placed to defend them; the rowers fitting underneath, thus screened from the enemy's weapons.