12-05-2008, 05:23 AM
Given that most Greek and Roman shields seem to have had covers to protect them from everyday wear and tear, I'd guess your second reason the more likely, but I wouldn't underestimate a glued on linen/parchment skin's ability to assist structurally by holding the thing together, prevent the spread of 'splits' etc......
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff