06-23-2008, 04:57 PM
Quote:Matthew Amt:ftt4ewig Wrote:Avete!
As I recall from the Dura Europas report, the bracing strips on the scutum were very flimsy things, held on simply by wooden pegs! So I would hesitate to think of them as doing some sort of heavy reinforcing job...
Glue holds the rest of the shield together just fine, so it should be sufficient for the bracing strips as well. Matthew
Absolutely- pegs and glue are what was really used, so presumably they worked well enough for the Romans. I'm not even convinced the strips on the reverse were any kind of significant bracing- a 3-ply scutum is a very solid thing, and the 'bracing' seemed to me to be almost superfluous when I'd finished making mine.
Do you think the bracing was more like chrome strips on a automobile; Included because they had always been used and were expected but no longer serving an real purpose? I know it is difficult to say for sure as
so few Scuta survive but could what evidence there is support such an interpretation?
John Kaler MSG, USA Retired
Member Legio V (Tenn, USA)
Staff Member Ludus Militus https://www.facebook.com/groups/671041919589478/
Owner Vicus and Village: https://www.facebook.com/groups/361968853851510/
Member Legio V (Tenn, USA)
Staff Member Ludus Militus https://www.facebook.com/groups/671041919589478/
Owner Vicus and Village: https://www.facebook.com/groups/361968853851510/
