The Roman shield, the scutum, was central to the Romans' conquest of
the known world, and has become an emblem of the legions at the
forefront of that effort. This new study draws on the latest research to
reveal the history of this iconic equipment.
The introduction of the scutum in the 4th century BC revolutionized
the way the Romans fought. Instead of being purely defensive, the shield
became a weapon in its own right. Using the top edge or boss to punch an
opponent, or the lower rim to smash down on their feet, it served to
unbalance an enemy and allow the sword to do its work. The versatility
of the scutum was characterized by the testudo, a formation the
Romans used offensively like a pedestrian tank. Meanwhile, other shield
types equipped the auxiliaries who fought alongside the legionaries. The
curved, rectangular scutum survived into the 3rd century AD, only to
be replaced by an oval, slightly domed shield derived from the oval
shields of Early Imperial auxiliaries.
Drawing together historical accounts, excavated artifacts, and the
results of the latest scientific analyses of the boards and fittings,
renowned authority M.C. Bishop reveals the development, technology,
training, and use of the scutum and other Roman shield types.