Cuma frieze shields and helmets

[Andrew Brozyna]

The shape of some of these shields looks more in keeping with depictions of celtic equipment, rather than Roman. I've long been confused by the mixing of enemy and Roman style equipment in friezes like this. I read somewhere that the practice may have been some sort of spiritual act. The Gauls may have used some "Roman" equipment, so maybe it's all meant to be enemy spoils. Of course, we know the Romans weren't shy about using the skills of other peoples, so maybe the Celtic equipment is meant to be "Roman." Or maybe the artists didn't have a clear idea themselves.