11-16-2008, 08:59 PM
Giannis, we'll just have to agree to disagree about shield changes. That's for another thread, and another time.
For this thread, have to say that I think Lorica will back me up in saying that gold has no meaningful strength--at least not in that shape. BUT if the hinges and hidden flanges were iron, the gold would look nice and the iron would do the work.
Nice thing about Iron is that it's much cheaper than bronze, at least for reenactors...
final, impractical note--it seems to me from stuff in Arrian and other sources--late, but probably trustworthy--that there were no "decorator only" shields. Even those shields with gold and ivory inlay were probably carried and used. You see this again in the Middle Ages--magnificent shields that were in fact used. I suspect this is linked to the early modern desire of soldiers to fight in their best kit. In fact, for my second aspis, I will probably try to do inlay instead of paint, and a bronze device about 18 by 12 inches... anyway, that's for when the other 29 aspides are built...
Lorica and I have to build a shield for a friend--it might be that we'll experiment with his (har, har) and see if we can do the pin and hinge system.
For this thread, have to say that I think Lorica will back me up in saying that gold has no meaningful strength--at least not in that shape. BUT if the hinges and hidden flanges were iron, the gold would look nice and the iron would do the work.
Nice thing about Iron is that it's much cheaper than bronze, at least for reenactors...
final, impractical note--it seems to me from stuff in Arrian and other sources--late, but probably trustworthy--that there were no "decorator only" shields. Even those shields with gold and ivory inlay were probably carried and used. You see this again in the Middle Ages--magnificent shields that were in fact used. I suspect this is linked to the early modern desire of soldiers to fight in their best kit. In fact, for my second aspis, I will probably try to do inlay instead of paint, and a bronze device about 18 by 12 inches... anyway, that's for when the other 29 aspides are built...
Lorica and I have to build a shield for a friend--it might be that we'll experiment with his (har, har) and see if we can do the pin and hinge system.
Qui plus fait, miex vault.
