08-02-2014, 08:21 PM
Just some observations about the upper drawings. since I am currently analyzing a lot of iconography showing Roman, and mainly Gladiator Scutum and Gladius techniques.
Since you correctly show the possibilities of applying leverage to the horizontal gripped Scutum, it dies not make any sense for it not to be firmly backed up by your knee and shoulder, at least when advancing into engagement range.
In C. it does not make a lot of sense for Red to duck down, as he would then expose even more of his shield shoulder and arm to the attack of Purple. Though he might achieve a hit on purples leg he would be hit also, which is never a good idea in combat. If possible red could retreat, and/or cut into the attack of purple to misalign the attack or hit the weapon arm (thats what Manicae were designed to protect against.) Red could also raise the shield high to protect his face and shoulder and only after successfully blocking the attack of purple he could start a counterattack.
E: in pressing his shield into the shield of purple, red invites an attack to his shoulder, even before he has opened up the lower area of his enemy.
F/G That is exactly the reason why shield thrusts above the height of the Umbo are quite suicidal. The fighter being attacked can also just bring his sword under the riim of his enemys shield instead of his own shield to push the Scutum aside and expose his enemy completely. For those into historic fencing: the upper and lower edges of a Scutum are the "weak" of this "weapon" and its always not very good to let your enemy get into control of your "weak" with his "strong".
H/I: Actually even with crouching at this range they will need either good armor coverage or superior reflexes to keep from killing each other simultaneously. This "close engagement range" is a kind of zone "of certain death" in many historic fencing styles and should only be moved into when you are in contact and control of your opponents weapon. In that case you can then move into wrestling if you want to. Otherwise stay out of this range.
One detail that is often overlooked in combat with shields, is that it is far safer not to stand frontally to each other, but a little bit to the left of your opponent, as this increases the distance of his sword arm to your most vulnerable opening, the front shoulder and your face above the Scutum.
As far as close order fighting is concerned I think most fighters would have been very much preoccupied with the one enemy they would face before them and would have had little time to either attack or defend against the enemy to the left or right.
Since you correctly show the possibilities of applying leverage to the horizontal gripped Scutum, it dies not make any sense for it not to be firmly backed up by your knee and shoulder, at least when advancing into engagement range.
In C. it does not make a lot of sense for Red to duck down, as he would then expose even more of his shield shoulder and arm to the attack of Purple. Though he might achieve a hit on purples leg he would be hit also, which is never a good idea in combat. If possible red could retreat, and/or cut into the attack of purple to misalign the attack or hit the weapon arm (thats what Manicae were designed to protect against.) Red could also raise the shield high to protect his face and shoulder and only after successfully blocking the attack of purple he could start a counterattack.
E: in pressing his shield into the shield of purple, red invites an attack to his shoulder, even before he has opened up the lower area of his enemy.
F/G That is exactly the reason why shield thrusts above the height of the Umbo are quite suicidal. The fighter being attacked can also just bring his sword under the riim of his enemys shield instead of his own shield to push the Scutum aside and expose his enemy completely. For those into historic fencing: the upper and lower edges of a Scutum are the "weak" of this "weapon" and its always not very good to let your enemy get into control of your "weak" with his "strong".
H/I: Actually even with crouching at this range they will need either good armor coverage or superior reflexes to keep from killing each other simultaneously. This "close engagement range" is a kind of zone "of certain death" in many historic fencing styles and should only be moved into when you are in contact and control of your opponents weapon. In that case you can then move into wrestling if you want to. Otherwise stay out of this range.
One detail that is often overlooked in combat with shields, is that it is far safer not to stand frontally to each other, but a little bit to the left of your opponent, as this increases the distance of his sword arm to your most vulnerable opening, the front shoulder and your face above the Scutum.
As far as close order fighting is concerned I think most fighters would have been very much preoccupied with the one enemy they would face before them and would have had little time to either attack or defend against the enemy to the left or right.
Olaf Küppers - Histotainment, Event und Promotion - Germany
