Quote:A flat or mildly dished shield can be wielded as a weapon in ways other than a deeply curved shield. A fighter with a deeply curved shield is highly protected as long as he fights with his body inside the curve of his shield. The shield doesn't protect any other person. A large flat or mildly dished shield was often held at arms length from the bearer, and the edges could be used to attack an enemy, or catch his weapon or shield. Flattish shields tend to extend sideways, and could be used for shield walls or in a phalanx to guard the fighter standing next to you. A flattish shield is also much better at protecting the sword arm of the user than most deeply curved shields.
While it's easier to overlap flat shields - to form testudos or fulcums -
than curved scuta, I was always under the impression that both could
be equally well used to to form testudos. I thought that the earlier,
curved scutum was even more associated with close formations of
shields than the later flat shield, which has been thought to be more
adapted for open-order or even single combat. Though I agree that,
if I was isolated on the field, I would actually prefer the earlier curved
scutum, as it gives better protection at the sides.
On one point, though, I think both shields are equally effective - for use
as a weapon. Holding either out horizontally in front of you, they can be
used to punch with the bottom edge of the rim. The earlier, curved scutum is probably even better at this than the later flat scutum, as
the earlier shileds tended to have brass edging, rather than rawhide.
Ambrosius / Mike