Scutum Variations

[Anonymous]

Hello All,

I was recently looking through my "Warfare in the Classical World" by John Warry and I came across the section on Scutums on page 148. He shows two scutums with curved sides that have the top and bottom flat but, one has a wooden spindle shaped boss (covered with a metal reinforcing plate) and the other a metal/bronze one. I was wondering if anyone could give me further information as to when these were in use, the weight of each, any pictures of reconstructions, and where evidence has been found for each of these? Mr. Warry mentions that the wooden boss version was in use c 10 B.C. and that it survived in service until after 175 A.D. The Iron/bronze boss version appeared c 20 A.D. and by 100 A.D. it was almost universal. I was wondering if these are accurate dates or if someone may have better information as to when these were in use with the Legions? I dont believe I have ever seen anything with the wooden bossed shield being depicted so if anyone could provide some links about them then it would be greatly appreciated.

I was also wondering what type of shield may be more accurate for the Legions of the Claudian invasion of Briton and the Boudicca revolt? Would any one of these be more accurate then the other or is there evidence for the straight sided scutum being the predominate shield for that area and time? Does anyone have good evidence that the curved sided ones were still in use with the Legions during the 100 A.D. - 200 A.D. time frame?

Thank you all so much for all your time and help! I look forward to the replies!

Brett

[Jeroen Pelgrom]

Salve,

are you talking about these shields (the blue ones in the picture)?

[url:3sjhl78o]http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/components/com_ponygallery/img_pictures/romanreturntonijmegen3_20050702_785374433.JPG[/url]

[Neuraleanus]

but the shield with the wooden/metal strap boss seems to be republican, 1st century BC and eariler. There was a shield like this found in Egpyt.

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Im referring to the scutum's that were made right after the republican shields. From my understanding, these are basically the same shield but just with the top and bottom cut off so that they are flat but still have the curved sides. Here is a pic from Matt Amt's site...

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/augscutum.jpg

Also, does anyone have any evidence for these being constructed with the back bracing?

Thanks for the help everyone!

Brett

[Andrew Brozyna]

I wish I knew more about the wooden spindle boss variant. I can add this: The Adamclisi monument and Trajan's column feature some examples of the curve-sided scutum as well as the more common straight-edged type. So, they were in use up till the early 100s AD.
Also, I don't own the book, but I think Bishop and Coulston's "Roman Military Equipment" notes some examples of brass edging, which indicate the use of that curve-sided type. I'm sure we're all anxious to get a copy of the upoming 2nd edition.