03-21-2005, 07:05 PM
There doesn't seem to be any conclusive evidence, but I'm of the opinion that the same design (with subtle variation among ranks) would be used throughout the unit. If the purpose of the shield design is unit identification, then it makes sense for all the shields in a unit to look similar. This appears to at least be true with shields of the same type, but different rank. There are two very similar shield blazons from aparently different ranks of the same unit seen on the reliefs at Mainz. It looks like one belongs to a centurio and the other to a milite. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any single relief definitively showing a parma with the shields of the rest of it's unit. Isn't it possible the Cancellaria relief shows representatives from different Praetorian units?<br>
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P.S. There are also two parma designs visible on Trajan's column you might also want to check out. A simple circular design and a wreath. <p></p><i></i>
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P.S. There are also two parma designs visible on Trajan's column you might also want to check out. A simple circular design and a wreath. <p></p><i></i>
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