scutum curvature

[Marcus Mummius]

Salvete,

Does anyone know how curved a rectangular scutum should be? You sometimes see very dramatic curves but you also see scuta with slight curves. Is there any evidence?

Thanks in advance,
Best regards

[Neuraleanus]

the Dura scutum had a curvature of about 18 inch radius. You cannot tell now, as the shield has gotten very badly warped.

[Matt Lukes]

There are a number of iconographic representations that show the 'classic' scutum to be quite curved as well- the tombstone of C Valerius Crispus (LEGVIII), for example.

The scuta with very slight curves, presuming you mean those made by re-enactors, are most likely simply the result of using the wrong wood (thus being unable to achieve much of a curve), or some such production issue- not because of historical evidence or that being the intended shape.

Matt