ROMAN BATTLE SHIELD (PSUA1606) by Pacific Solutions
MEASUREMENTS: LENGTH: 30 inches WIDTH: 20 inches

THE ROMAN SHIELD
On the left side of the soldier's body was his trusty shield (scutum is the Latin word for "shield"). It was a semi-circular shield, designed so that any missiles thrown at the soldier would be deflected to one side. This would mean less effort by the soldier would be needed to defend himself. This design was probably derived from shields used by the Italian Celts or from the Greek Thureos. The oval scutum is depicted on the Altar of Domitius Ahenobarbus in Rome, the Aemilius Paullus monument at Delphi. By the end of the 3rd century AD the rectangular scutum seems to have disappeared. Fourth century archaeological finds indicate the subsequent use of oval or round shields which were not semi-cylindrical, but were either dished (bowl-shaped) or flat. Roman artwork from the end of the 3rd century till the end of Antiquity show soldiers wielding oval or round shields.