RomanArmyTalk

I have seen some late roman reenactors with no bosses, or a hole for one to be attached on thier shields, what is the evidence for this?

Which late Roman reenactors would that be? A shield with just a hole seems to be a bit pointless..

I could imagine a plain board with the grip attached to the back. we get to see that style of shield in later times a lot - Byzantines and Muslim forces used it and similar designs were adopted in Western Europe later. I don't know how far back they go, though - the farthest back I've been able to document with reasonable certainty is 9th century.

Anyone got a second clue of Sassanid, Arab and Central Asian shieldmaking traditions after 300?

Hi,

Could it be they interpreted the Dura Europos shields a little bit too litteraly :wink: ? IIRC a few of the painted shields found there were bossless, but showed the holes made for the handle. As if they were waiting to receive their boss again after painting.

Hans

Yes, that could be the case. Also, I think later shields (I seem to recall pictish ones) had no boses, but also no holes for the hand.
To leave these uncovered would be inviting serious injuries!

Perhaps those reenactors fully intend to put bosses on their shields, put are waiting on delivery from Deepeeka.

On the other hand, maybe the Romans who made the Dura Europas shields are also still waiting on delivery from Deepeeka.

Exactly how long have those Indians been promising, "Next week, next week"

it seems in my awful english you misunderstood me, I meant that they did not have holes for the bosses, and didn't have bosses either, like a 5th century greek hoplite shield.

Oh yes, that is what you said.
Sorry can't help. No Idea.