Scale Shield

[MARCVS PETRONIVS MAIVS]

Did the romans at any point in their history, or even their enemies ever use scale shields? That is, a wooden shield with a scale facing? I came across a relief in the Stilicho entry in wikipedia that seems to show one, and I have seen a drawing by Johny Shumate of a scythian yielding one aswell.

[le Cavalier Invisible]

Didn't the praetorians use some kind of scale pattern on their shields? (I might be wrong about this, I only know some eh Osprey :oops: book which has a drawing with this in it.. :roll: :wink: )(I thought it was Late Roman cavalrymen.. :? wink: Some cavalry guys hunting some praetorians down.. P lol: )

Greetz,

[Peroni]

The praetorian shield with (probably painted) scale decoration is a parma carried by a beneficiarius on the Cancellaria relief.

[le Cavalier Invisible]

So I wasn't that wrong then..? :roll: lol:

[MARCVS PETRONIVS MAIVS]

Yes, but the one I am referring to is practically an oval scutum and it doesnt seem like painting to me:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stilicho

Had that pattern appeaed on one's body nobody would dismiss it as scale armour so why is that the case here? Wouldn't a scale covered shield be quite effective?

[MeinPanzer]

En entire oval scale shield measuring 125 by 70 cm has been found in a Scythian grave from Simferopol`in the Ukraine dating to the 5th century BC. This is the only actual example that I know of.

[le Cavalier Invisible]

The picture I was talking about:

[le Cavalier Invisible]

Description:

[le Cavalier Invisible]

Note that they mention both Stilicho and Cancellaria in the text ..

Greetz,

[MARCVS PETRONIVS MAIVS]

So it did exist and was used by the praetorian guard from the 1st century onwards?

[le Cavalier Invisible]

Well, according to Osprey, yes.. However, we're talking about Osprey, and this one is copyright 1995.. So it might be a little outdated.. :? ? roll: Anyway, I think they mean some kind of painting, as they're talking about a scale pattern.. :? wink:

Greetz,

P.S. Please let there be somebody else with some more knowledge on this subject! :roll: I hate to say it, but I ran out of references.. :oops: :roll: :lol:

[john m roberts]

I suspect that the pattern we often perceive as scales was in fact intended to depict feathers. Embossed feathers were to be found on helmets and armor throughout the Imperial period.

[Peroni]

Here is the parma of the Beneficiarius on the Cancellaria relief.. They could be either feathers or leaves.

[Ross Cowan]

Well, according to Osprey, yes.. However, we're talking about Osprey, and this one is copyright 1995.. So it might be a little outdated.. :? ? roll: Anyway, I think they mean some kind of painting, as they're talking about a scale pattern:

Why 'Osprey' and why 'they'? The book is written by Prof. Boris Rankov, an expert on the Praetorian Guard, not by 'Osprey'.

Anyway, I agree with other posters, the pattern looks more like feathers.

R

[le Cavalier Invisible]

Well, I was just being carefull,because.. Well, you know this topic, don't you.. :wink:
Sorry if I offended anyone.. :oops: :wink:

Greetz,