Shields

ROMAN AND EARLY ITALIC SHIELDS

The earliest Italian shields appear to have been of a variety of types, including that of the Greek hoplite shield, the aspis. Some Villanovan shields during the Etruscan period have been found to have been entirely of bronze sheet. During the early Republic, the Romans began to adopt shield designs influenced by the Celts, constructed of multiple layers of laminated wooden strips, covered in leather, with a central bronze or iron boss. Initially, these Celtic shields were oval in shape and flat in profile. Roman shields of this sort also began as oblong in shape, but incorporated a curvature that would wrap around the body of the soldier, providing additional properties of deflection. During the early Imperial period, the shape of the shield began to change, leaving the top and bottom straight, and even later the sides were straightened as well, leaving the shield rectangular in shape.

The Greek historian Polybius, having observed the Romans during military campaigns, describes the shield of the Republican period as being constructed of a thick shield board, curved and covered in canvas and calf skin on the interior and exterior surfaces. The top and bottom edges were reinforced with iron binding. This coincides with the evidence gained from a curved, laminated shield found at Khasr el-Harit in the Fayum region of Egypt. The size and shape was concomitant with Polybius’ description, however the exterior of the shield had been covered in thick wool felt instead of leather, perhaps due to the availability of such material. Additionally, the shield was constructed of three layers of laminated wooden strips, contrasting Polybius’ suggestion that they were constructed of two layers. Artistic evidence from this period also supports the size and shape of Polybius’ description.

The only other complete Roman legionary shield found was the example at Dura Europus in Asia Minor. This shield dates from approximately 250 AD and was slightly thinner than other examples, yet still comprised of three layers of wooden strips. On the exterior, it was covered in leather on both faces, and linen on the front.

Other shields and fragments have been found that assist in our knowledge of shield construction, but no other complete shields have been identified as legionary, the Doncaster shield being probably from an auxiliary context. Fragments of metal reinforcing bars and handgrips have been found in legionary contexts, as have brass edging to encircle the shield. Nevertheless, these other fragments and examples reinforce the notion that Roman shields were generally constructed of three layers of wood and covered in leather on both faces. Legionary shields, however, were curved to protect the body of the user, and were often edged with a U-shaped brass binding. The approximate weight of most legionary shields, being made of laminated wood covered in leather, was probably between 16 and 20 pounds.

AH3990 - Deepeeka Villanovan Embossed Brass Shield
Ca. 8th - 7th century BC

Price: $350
Authenticity Rating: 10

This shield is based on an archaeological example from the Villanovan culture of Northern Italy, associated with Rome’s Etruscan ancestors. It is a fine replica of an original bronze piece, using brass as the medium.

AH6718H - Deepeeka Dura Europus (Leather Hide covered) 42" x 33" Shield
Ca. 3rd century AD

Price:$460
Authenticity Rating: 10

On Deepeeka’s website, famous reenactor and historian Dan Peterson is quoted as saying this about the Deepeeka version of the Dura Europus shield: “The Dura Europos scutum, is held by some to be a 'parade' item, on the grounds of its elaborate paintwork and relatively thin construction. Elaborate painted battle shields were characteristic of earlier Mediterranean armies; and today we may place too high a 'rarity value' on skilled painting to appreciate its availability in the ancient world.” As such, we believe this replica to be a superior likeness of the original, as reconstructed by its original curatorial team of the 1930s.

AH3853H - Deepeeka Roman Large Leather Covered Wooden Shield, (42" x 33")
Roman scutum, leather covered, Imperial period design.
Ca. Mid 1st to late 2nd century AD

Price:$325
Authenticity Rating: 9

The Deepeeka Roman scutum is a fairly good reproduction of a Roman shield of the Imperial period. Their shield boards tend to be a bit on the thick side, but overall these shields are well made. Most of them are made with leather on the front face only, while the originals had been constructed with leather on both faces. The material used for the boss is also a bit thin, the originals being made of a gauge closer to our modern 16 gauge.

AH-6710 - Deepeeka Praetorian Cavalry Shield
Roman Praetorian Hexagonal Shield
Ca. 1st - 3rd century AD.

Price:$200
Authenticity Rating: 9

This shield is a replica of a praetorian cavalry shield, bearing the distinctive emblem of the Praetorian guard, the scorpion, and displaying the hexagonal shape of a cavalry shield. It is covered in linen, though the originals were most probably covered in leather.

AH6750 - Deepeeka Decorative Shield Boss
Replica of the “Tyne” boss
Ca. 2nd century AD.

Price: $105
Authenticity Rating:9

This is an excellent facsimile of the decorative shield boss found in England in the Tyne River. In our opinion, however, the curvature of the boss might be deeper in order to be more historically accurate.

FD-SCUT - Imperium Ancient Armory Custom Made Roman Scutum
Ca. Mid 1st - late 2nd century AD

Price: $750
Authenticity Rating: 10

This is a custom made Roman scutum from the craftspeople at Imperium Ancient Armory. It is constructed of three layers of plywood, yielding a 3/8 inch core, reinforced with oak strips or metal bars (your choice), incorporates a metal handgrip, is covered in 2-3 ounce leather on front and rear faces, and linen on the front. It is edged in brass and the faces are left unpainted for you to place the appropriate color coat of paint on it. For an extra charge, we can paint it either red, blue, green or black. The boss is hand forged from 14 gauge steel. Overall, the shield weighs approximately 20 pounds and is very close to the heft, shape and size of Roman scuta carried by legionaries of the mid-first to late second centuries AD. This item is a custom order item. Please check with us for availability, schedule and additional services or options.

FD-UMBO - Imperium Ancient Armory Custom Forged Steel Shield Boss
Early - mid Imperial Umbo
Ca. Mid 1st - late 2nd century AD

Price: $55
Authenticity Rating: 10

This is a custom forged umbo (shield boss) for an Imperial scutum. It is forged from 14 gauge steel, is approximately 9 inches wide, by 10 inches tall, with a domed section 5 to 5 ½ inches in diameter. It comes forge blackened. For an additional fee, it can be given a slight polish and pierced for rivets. The curvature of the boss may not fit all shield board curvatures. Contact us for additional details and availability.