interesting way the pretorians carry theirs Scuta

[Aurelianus]

This relief is very interesting because of the way the pretorians carries theirs scuti!!!!

There seem to be something like leather straps!?! Do somebody know more about this?

[Lusitano]

At a glance it kind of reminds me of the inside of an hoplon.

Like in this image

[Aurelianus]

There is really a resemblance! Are there any findings from bronze handles or straps from a hoplon or roman shield?

Peronnaly I think that the imaged strap on the relief could not be from bronze! The Scuti would be unwearable this way!

Perhaps an artistic error???

[Tarbicus]

Or it could just be wrong, given it's a monumental relief?

[Peroni]

Or it could just be wrong, given it's a monumental relief?

Agreed! Trajan's Column shows the auxiliary shields (infantry and cavalry) supported in the same fashion.

[Matthew]

Or it could just be more evidence that there was no 'one true way' for Romans to carry their Shields...

Matthew James Stanham

[Tarbicus]

Or it could just be more evidence that there was no 'one true way' for Romans to carry their Shields...

You mean?...

[MARCvSVIBIvSMAvRINvS]

If that is a Roman you can call me MAIER!!

M.VIB.M.

[FAVENTIANVS]

Remember Nero's praetorian illustration at Graham's book Roman Military Clothing I.

[Theodosius the Great]

Maybe they're dismounted cavalrymen ?

They would've used a strap system, I believe.

~ Theo

[drsrob]

As I suggested at another topic, the equites singulares are the only auxilia which the Italians were familiar with. It would be a natural assumption for them that infantry auxilia were similarly equipped. Gravestones however show this not to have been the case.

[Matthew]

Or it could just be more evidence that there was no 'one true way' for Romans to carry their Shields...

You mean?...

Maybe...

[MeinPanzer]

There is really a resemblance! Are there any findings from bronze handles or straps from a hoplon or roman shield?

Peronnaly I think that the imaged strap on the relief could not be from bronze! The Scuti would be unwearable this way!

Perhaps an artistic error???

Why could the armstraps not be of bronze? It seems perfectly possible as long as the shields are not too curved.

[Aurelianus]

I have already made some experiences with metallically arm straps. I would avoid if it is fixed on both sides! If there would be something like a frame where you could temporary support the shild: perhaps that would work. But I don't know any hints to this solution.....

I would fundamentally prefer to fight with a "freerunning" Scutum!!!

[tommy303]

Sculpture of the time frequently followed certain conventions--it was taught a certain way by master to apprentices, etc. It could be that since a lot of artisans--sculptors and such--were Greek (either slaves or freemen), they might have been following there own native artistic conventions and altering otherwise Greek standard models to resemble Roman for their clients or masters.