Single grip aspis

[PMBardunias]

Heretical as usual--wy is it so odd that there were still single grip aspides in 550?

Sharpen the stake and light the fires! Actually, it is only odd because this is the single image that I have seen where this is done. One thing I will say is that I do not buy the notion that the aspis was too heavy to be held by one hand with a central grip. This was put forth to explain the doble-grip and the invention of the rim as a shoulder rest. The problem with this is that there are some truly huge Assyrian round shields with central bosses. Also, looking at the profile of a section of an aspis shows that a substantial portion of the weight comes from the rim itself. If an aspis had a single grip it could simply be rested on the ground when not in use.

- Is it possible to fight with a centre gripped aspsis?

I knew of a reenactor who took to doing this in order to make the aspis more useful for one on one combat. Surely it could be done, especially because the porpax is centered. If the porpax and antilabe flanked the center as on most other double-grip shields, this would be more difficult.

I think the obstacles to this notion are that the wide bronze porpax is really quite difficult to hold in one hand. The more narrow ones are thought to be missing a sleeve section if I recall, but whether they could be more versatile I cannot say.

- Are there any other sources depicting this usage?

Not this late to my knowledge.