Did you know that the ancient Romans used shields? They fought in battle with a variety of tools and weapons, and their scutum or Tower Shield, or body shield, protected their entire body. These weapons and tools were crafted by master craftsmen from the strongest materials available at the time, including wood and metal. But did you know that you can make a replica of a scutum from scrap wood? It’s easy to do; a refrigerator box is an ideal base for a rectangular body-length Roman shield.
Why is the Roman shield red?
There are many explanations for why a Roman shield is red, but the most common one is that it was hand painted. Despite the red face, the shield’s back was usually a duller red than its front. This redness may be due to natural variations in wood pigments. The reason behind the redness of the shield isn’t well understood, so anyone with better information is encouraged to post in the comments section below.
https://www.whowhatwhendad.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Are-Roman-Shields-Made-Out-of-Plywood_41572.jpg
The Roman shield was a symbol of power and pride. It was a vital piece of armor for the Roman army, which had a regal aura. The Romans used shields to protect themselves and their community. They were often decorated, with wreaths around the boss, elaborate figures, and famous Roman lightning bolts. Soldiers were required to be Roman citizens to wear the shield, but they were not limited to this. Legionaries were auxiliary soldiers who provided extra manpower and specialised fighting techniques.
In the Roman period, red was the most expensive pigment and was reserved for emperors and generals. However, red ochre was much cheaper. It could be produced from madder root, but it is not as bright as the bloody red that we associate with the Roman shield. The red color would not have been expensive to produce, as lead and iron oxide were abundant and relatively inexpensive. However, all colors require effort to make and ingredients to manufacture. Unlike today, however, the Romans didn’t have any problems in procuring their shields.
How heavy was the Roman shield?
The Romans carried a variety of different types of shields, and the size and weight of each one varied from one legionary scutum to the next. The legionary scutum shield, for example, weighed 22 lbs. The later scutum shields would weigh a little less than that, though. In later centuries, Roman soldiers carried smaller shields that weighed only a few pounds.
The legionary scutum weighed approximately 10kg (22 pounds) and was made of plywood. It had a prominent boss that could push an opponent away or topple them. Later, the shield would be shaped into a curved rectangular board. In the second century BC, the weight of these shields dropped to 7.5 kg (16 lbs.) The later specimens probably weighed less than half that. The legionary scutum was held with a horizontal grip, while the auxiliary and specialist legionaries carried smaller shields with flat sides.
The scutum was made from three sheets of wood glued together and covered in leather or canvas. The scutum usually had a circular metal boss in the hand-grip recess. The surviving scutum from Dura-Europos in Syria had a chord of 0.66 m (26 in.) and a radius of 0.86 m (34 in.). Despite its light weight, it was extremely sturdy.
What were Roman shield used for?
If you’re looking for a simple and affordable way to create a replica of a Roman shield, you can use plywood! This ancient material can be used to make any type of shield, from simple to intricate. This Roman reenactor shield is made out of three layers of wood, each approximately one quarter inch thick. The wood is glued together at right angles to create a protective surface that covers the whole body. It also offers a high degree of flexibility, making it ideal for a combat situation.
A good quality hardwood piece would last for a long time, and the thickness of the plywood will keep it sturdy and light. Besides, it would not split on the edge like its more expensive counterpart. A modern version of a wooden shield might last for hundreds of years, which is a great thing to do if you want to create an authentic looking shield. But what if you want to be a bit more unique?
What is a shield in Rome?
The Romans were famous for their innovative military tactics, which involved specific types of weapons, military clothing, and shields. Roman shields were practical and versatile, and were made of wood and were available in a variety of shapes. The Roman army used three different types of shields: the scutum, clipeus, and legionnaire scutum. The legionnaire scutum shield, which was first used by Italic Antiquity, was eventually adopted by the Roman army in the 4th century BC. This shield was originally oval in shape, but was eventually made of leather and covered with linen cloth.
The clipeus, a Roman version of the Greek aspis, was the standard military shield for Roman soldiers after the 3rd century. It was made of three glued pieces of wood, covered with a leather or canvas covering. The clipeus also featured a small round iron point, called the umbo, that was used to protect the army and harm the enemy during battles. The clipeus was most commonly used by the Roman Empire, although it was used up until the Scutum took over the role. It is thought that some of the most surviving scutums were those used by Proetus and Acrisius of Argos, and that they were worn by a small number of Roman citizens.
What shields did Roman cavalry use?
Did you know that the shields worn by the Roman cavalry were made from plywood and leather? Unlike today’s plastic shields, the Roman shield was more than one meter tall and oval-shaped. A helmet made of bronze protected the entire head and was decorated with feathers and horsehair. The Romans also used two weapons: the short sword known as the gladius, which was designed for close combat, and the javelin, a long, heavy weapon. An experienced legionary could hit an enemy from twenty meters away with this weapon.
In the 3rd century BCE, the Roman soldier began using the Spanish sword instead of a thrusting weapon known as the spatha. This sword was worn on the right side of the body, along with a shield called the gladius. The Roman soldier also wore mail body armor, helmets, and a semi-cylindrical shield made of calfskin or plywood. The Roman cavalry, however, wore smaller, lightweight shields.
What wood were Roman shields made of?
When it comes to ancient weapons, the earliest Roman shields were made of a single layer of wood, the scutum. The shields were easy to poke and could cause injury to the Roman soldier, especially during the campaign against Dacia and Carthage. Eventually, the Romans developed a more durable shield with two or three layers of wood. These layers of wood were connected together with glue and were curved to give the shield its distinctive shape.
The scutum was an oval or rectangular shield that remained popular throughout the early Roman Empire. The scutum of this time was often rectangular, but there are more rectangular shields that date from the 3rd century. Because of its ability to limit movement and offer substantial protection, these shields are especially useful in siege combat. The scutums used for this purpose are depicted in several places, including the Altar of Domitius Ahenobarbus in Rome and the Aemilius Paullus monument in Egypt. The actual scutum was found at Kasr el-Harit in Egypt. During the early Roman Empire, the scutums evolved into rectangular, semi-circular, and round shields.
Did the Romans use plywood?
It is not known if the Romans used plywood for shields, but they used a similar material to create armor. These armors were made of three layers of hardwood ply or plywood that were glued together. The wood grain was angled, and the shields were very light, and the edges were not susceptible to splitting. They were covered with hide, and later had a metal rim.
It is possible to reconstruct the legionary shield from sand and wood flakes found in archaeological sites. The legionary shield evolved into a curved rectangle during the Principate period. We know this because there are fragments of legionary shields found at a number of sites, and one site in particular, Dura-Europos, produced an almost-intact board used for the construction of the legionary shield. In addition, the shield board’s triple thickness confirmed its use of plywood. Comparisons with an Egyptian shield board also showed it to be of Republican-era construction.
While ancient Romans did not use plywood for shields, they certainly did make them from wood. Polybius’ description of the scutum is accurate. It consisted of two layers of thin boards arranged alternately, glued with beef glue and covered with cloth or leather. The edges of the scutum were protected by iron or bronze umbs. The shields were a complex process, but the process did not require a high level of skill or knowledge.
What materials were Roman shields made?
Roman legionaries wore several different types of shields. Early ones were oval or flat, but they eventually became round, rectangular, or curved. These were known as scuta. Different types of shields were designed for different groups of soldiers. During the early Empire, Roman legionaries wore wood shields that were covered in leather and linen cloth. The shields used by the auxiliary troops differed in shape.
A standard Roman legionary soldier wore a semi-cylindrical scutum, which was made of glued wood strips. The shield’s surface was covered with red-dyed parchment or hide. The scutum’s opening was originally covered with a protective boss. The shield’s surface was painted with typical Roman iconography, including an eagle on a globe, two winged Victories holding laurel wreaths, and a lion. A scutum’s thickness was probably around five to six millimeters.
Depending on the strength of the user, a shield could be made from two to three layers of wood. This made the shields relatively lightweight, weighing anywhere from 2.5 to five pounds. While they are still light, their durability came from edge binding and cloth. A single layer of wood was not thick enough to protect a shield from being pierced by a sword or arrow. However, two to three layers of wood were necessary to keep it stable and protect against damage caused by an enemy’s weapon.
About The Author
Tess Mack is a social media expert who has fallen down more times than she can count. But that hasn't stopped her from becoming one of the most well-known Twitter advocates in the world. She's also a web nerd and proud travel maven, and is considered to be one of the foremost experts on hipster-friendly social media. Tess loves sharing interesting facts with her followers, and believes that laughter is the best way to connect with people.