SCUTUM, building and testing, some thoughts

[Tarbicus]

I have an idea on the reason for the thinning towards to the edges. It allows for the scutum to be held more stably, and not be so prone for the "pinkie" method to tip it over. The comparatively heavier weight at the centre helps to facilitate this, even though it would still be fairly easy to tip, but levering it back to a more defensive posture with the wrist would be far easier.

If barbarian shields didn't have this feature then that put them at a disadvantage, but if they did then it was an even match.