12-08-2013, 11:48 AM
The speculative designs shown in the recent Dando-Collins book are based on legion coin images - there's no evidence that these were used as shield designs. See this thread here... ;-)
The 'wings and thunderbolt' designs turns up in a variety of representations throughout the first and early second centuries (assuming that's the period you're interested in) - Trajan's column shows about nine variations of it. If sculptors could be bothered to carve this complex design into stone so often, we can be fairly sure that legionaries actually did use it, probably in much easier painted form!
The second most common shield pattern for this era seems to have been the victory wreath. Sometimes this was combined with the thunderbolt... No particular design is known for XXX UV, so you could take your pick.
The 'wings and thunderbolt' designs turns up in a variety of representations throughout the first and early second centuries (assuming that's the period you're interested in) - Trajan's column shows about nine variations of it. If sculptors could be bothered to carve this complex design into stone so often, we can be fairly sure that legionaries actually did use it, probably in much easier painted form!
The second most common shield pattern for this era seems to have been the victory wreath. Sometimes this was combined with the thunderbolt... No particular design is known for XXX UV, so you could take your pick.
Nathan Ross
