08-10-2007, 07:22 AM
I fear, nobody knows this for sure. As far as I know, no example has survived and no accurate description is available. They were first mentioned with the reinforcements for Alexander when he was in the eastern parts of the former Persian empire. That being after the capture of the whole wealth of the Persian main cities it is quite probable that a silver finish was used. I imagine a small pelte-like phalangite shield (no aspis) made of wood with a layer of silver alone or over a layer of bronze. Perhaps also a very bright mixture of one of the copper alloy materials, but I believe rather in true silver. In the sun, the silver shields must have been even more impressing than bronze coated ones.
Wolfgang Zeiler
