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+--- Thread: Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions (/showthread.php?tid=15676)
Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions - MarcellusCCLXXV - 08-25-2009
What are the general dimensions for late roman army shields? I am thinking specifically of flat, rounded shields circa the late 4th century (Western Empire). Thanks. Marcellus Valerius Gothicus.
Re: Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions - Salvianus - 08-26-2009
If I recall correctly we don't have concrete proof, but one can draw evidence from a number of sources:
~ Art images are varied. Stillicho's diptych shows his at about half his height, Piazza Armerina figures have some that are knee to throat.
~ Circular Nydam planked shields of 0.8-0.9m are similar in various ways to the oval planked C3rd Dura shields L 1.07-1.18m X 0.92-0.97 W, 8-12mm thick.
Are you building?
Re: Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions - MarcellusCCLXXV - 08-27-2009
Thanks, Salvianus, for your timely and thorough reply. I plan to make my shield plus some of the clothing and accessories, like perhaps the plumbatae. I plan to purchase the boss, Spangenhelm, body armor, and weaponry. I like the Der el' Mehinah model the best, regarding the Spangenhelm. Of course, I am open on sugglestions. I am new to re-enactment. By the way, I looked at the photos you have on line, the re-enactors in York, I believe. The photos are very impressive and informative. Marcellus Valerius Gothicus.
Re: Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions - Salvianus - 09-02-2009
Hoping this works, this is Salvianus logging in from a computer in York Hospital!
You sound very organised, good luck with putting everything together. One of the common problems with a planked shield reconstruction is the total built weight can climb to the point where it's exhausting to wield (if you aren't a blacksmith like my contubernale Ingar) unless you thin out the edges
feliciter
Re: Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions - Gaius Julius Caesar - 09-02-2009
I take it the ywere not using the layered strip method of construction any more?
You can pick up a good copy of the Der el' Mehinah from Peronis Armamentaria.
It's one of my favourite late helmets...nice and robust!
Re: Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions - Medicus matt - 09-02-2009
Quote:One of the common problems with a planked shield reconstruction is the total built weight can climb to the point where it's exhausting to wield
Can do, depends what you build it from though.
The 'fentic ones that I've made from lime and poplar are lighter than ones of the same dimensions made from birch or marine ply.
Re: Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions - Salvianus - 09-03-2009
Quote:I take it the ywere not using the layered strip method of construction any more?
Now that I wouldn't say. There were certainly some old school plywood sub-rectangular shields at Dura as well as the more numerous planked oval ones. As you can see from
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even the planked ones may have been bonded with additional fibres overlayed, but I don't have the James to find more. I think you can see from the diptych of Stillicho that at least some oval shields were rounded in at least the horizontal plane. If you haven't seen it,
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might be of interest.
I have two flat oval plywood scuta myself.
Fectio's flat oval plywood construction guide is:
http://www.fectio.org.uk/articles/makescutum.htm
Hope thats useful
Re: Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions - Salvianus - 09-03-2009
Quote:Can do, depends what you build it from though.
The 'fentic ones that I've made from lime and poplar are lighter than ones of the same dimensions made from birch or marine ply.
Good point - 'wood' is such a varied set of materials!
Gaius Julius: Just reading from Bishop @ Coulston the Dura planks were poplar and the plywood was plane, most Nydam planks were alder but some were lime, aspen, spruce and, surprising to me, oak!
Re: Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions - Ulfric - 05-03-2010
Necro'ing this thread - don't hit me.
I just want to see if this album link works for everyone else : I made a shield for a scottish customer and he's given me permission to post it.
Don't ask me exactly how I made it but most things are free info. Planks, some wieghts, some boiling water, some sunshine, some glue, leather, linen thread, a smithy, iron bars, etc.
http://img175.imageshack.us/g/shieldrom ... sidew.jpg/
Re: Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions - Robert Vermaat - 05-03-2010
Nice scutum Ulfric. Weight? Measurements?
Too bad it's only curved in one direction.
Re: Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions - Ulfric - 05-03-2010
Quote:...Too bad it's only curved in one direction.How very dare you! :|
well, yes ... but ... it was made to be dished.
The planks lost a lot of curvature in the glueing times but its still slightly curved longitudinally, enough to be pleasing. I'm going to make the next ones LESS horizontally curved to emphasise the slight dishing.
Re: Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions - Robert Vermaat - 05-03-2010
Weight? Measurements?
Real name?
Re: Late Roman Army Shield Dimensions - M. Demetrius - 03-24-2011
One thing I didn't get from your photos, Ulfric, is what angle did you adjust your planks' edges to get the original curve? Looks like it could be about 5 degrees. Is that close?