07-08-2006, 07:21 PM
I was wondering...
In the Notitia Dignitatum units are visualised by their shieldpattern.
Also some units that don't seem to be needing a shield in fact do have a shieldpattern.
Archer units for example don't really need one as they aren't expected to fight in a melee. Still they have one which might suggest they carried a small shield for backup just in case (on their backs?).
But what about the catafractarii, the clibanarii units and equites sagittarii units?
The catafractarii and clibanarii are expected to fight with a contus, which allows no room for a shield. (a backup?)
The equites sagittarii also wouldn't be needing a shield as they have no real space left while handling a composite bow. Again the shield could have been worn as backup on their backs or it could be attached on their upper arms as seems the case in the Byzantine army, but would it make sense in late Roman times?
In the heat of the action there would be little time to change weapons. I'd imagine there would be quite some difficulties to overcome only to grab the shield off of your back when you’re riding on a horse.
Now what seems to be more likely? Did these units in fact have a shield or didn’t they?
And if not why are their recognisable designs included into the ND? Perhaps just to distinguish units from others? (logically)
But still why would they have chosen these shield patterns if they didn’t actually had a shield on which the pattern was visible?
Also what’s the best way to carry a shield just for backup when both of your hands are occupied for foot units and cavalry? (the back, shoulders/upper arms?
Thanks
In the Notitia Dignitatum units are visualised by their shieldpattern.
Also some units that don't seem to be needing a shield in fact do have a shieldpattern.
Archer units for example don't really need one as they aren't expected to fight in a melee. Still they have one which might suggest they carried a small shield for backup just in case (on their backs?).
But what about the catafractarii, the clibanarii units and equites sagittarii units?
The catafractarii and clibanarii are expected to fight with a contus, which allows no room for a shield. (a backup?)
The equites sagittarii also wouldn't be needing a shield as they have no real space left while handling a composite bow. Again the shield could have been worn as backup on their backs or it could be attached on their upper arms as seems the case in the Byzantine army, but would it make sense in late Roman times?
In the heat of the action there would be little time to change weapons. I'd imagine there would be quite some difficulties to overcome only to grab the shield off of your back when you’re riding on a horse.
Now what seems to be more likely? Did these units in fact have a shield or didn’t they?
And if not why are their recognisable designs included into the ND? Perhaps just to distinguish units from others? (logically)
But still why would they have chosen these shield patterns if they didn’t actually had a shield on which the pattern was visible?
Also what’s the best way to carry a shield just for backup when both of your hands are occupied for foot units and cavalry? (the back, shoulders/upper arms?
Thanks
Thijs Koelewijn
