03-12-2018, 06:33 PM
Hello all,
Is there a consensus on the size of the parma shield used by veletes during the Republic? I suppose they might vary a little but I’m not sure how to take Polybius when he says that they were three feet wide (Plb. 6.22). Is he talking in Roman feet, making it 88.7 cm or is he using the Hellenistic foot mentioned by Dr.Dobson, which makes it 106.5 cm or perhaps another of the many various Greek foot lengths? I’ve read some who say he is using Roman and others that he uses Greek measurements. Considering the Greek Aspis is only 80-100cm both sizes seem surprisingly big for a skirmishing shield.
Thanks.
Is there a consensus on the size of the parma shield used by veletes during the Republic? I suppose they might vary a little but I’m not sure how to take Polybius when he says that they were three feet wide (Plb. 6.22). Is he talking in Roman feet, making it 88.7 cm or is he using the Hellenistic foot mentioned by Dr.Dobson, which makes it 106.5 cm or perhaps another of the many various Greek foot lengths? I’ve read some who say he is using Roman and others that he uses Greek measurements. Considering the Greek Aspis is only 80-100cm both sizes seem surprisingly big for a skirmishing shield.
Thanks.
Pericles of Rhodes (AKA George)
