parma

[caiusbeerquitius]

I just made a small list. If you see any mistakes or have any add-ons, please post.

Standard bearers and musicians on Trajan´s column:
Scene 4&5: both, infantry, oval/round shields carried on the left, same size as infantry shields.
Scene 6: Standard bearers only, cavalry, large oval shields
Scene 8: Standard bearers only (musicians on the left belong to the suovetaurilia), no shields(?)
Scene 15: Standard bearers and an aquilifer, infantry,Rectangular shield belonging to the aquilifer(?) standing on the floor in front of them
Scene 19: both, infantry,standard bearer(s) with oval shield(s)
Scene 20: Standard bearer, infantry, with oval / round shield
Scene 34: Standard bearers, infantry, with oval shields, same size as the infantry shields
Scene 36: Aquilifer, infantry, with oval shield, slightly smaller than infantry shields
Scene 37: Standard bearers, infantry, with oval shields in a camp
Scene 38: standard bearers, infantry, without shields (?)
Scene 41: both, infantry, cornicen with round / oval shield
The triumphal scenes are not of interest here.
Scene 77: Standard bearers, infantry, no shields visible
Scene 79: Standard bearers, infantry, no shields visible
Scene 81: both, infantry, only the standard beares seem to carry oval shields, about the same size as infantry shields
Scene 95: both, infantry, no shields visible
Scene 97: standard bearers, infantry, no shields visible
Scene 98: standard bearers, infantry, oval shields of the same size as the infantry shields
Scene 103: standard bearers, infantry, oval shields of the same size as the infantry shields

If I combine this with the other evidence above, I´d say that a curved (like the Kasr-El-Harit) or dished (like the Dura Europos) shield board about the same height as a rectangular scutum, or slightly smaller, would be rather what we are looking at here. it seems to be hung on the soldier´s left side with a sort of a belt, which enables the soldier to either carry it inclined under the left armpit, with the left arm resting on the shield, or vertically, covering the left side, as protection.