Are Military Shields Much Heavier and Harder to Use Then People Assume? - Printable Version +- RomanArmyTalk (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat) +-- Forum: Research Arena (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/forumdisplay.php?fid=4) +--- Forum: Roman Military History & Archaeology (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/forumdisplay.php?fid=8) +--- Thread: Are Military Shields Much Heavier and Harder to Use Then People Assume? (/showthread.php?tid=31640) |
Are Military Shields Much Heavier and Harder to Use Then People Assume? - Wrangler29 - 10-06-2022 Saw this post on Reddit. Quote:Quote[img=15x15]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==[/img] So I'm now intrigue. Are the Scutum and other military shields much harder than we assume to use in formation and far heavier than people think? Is the weight a major factor in victories from enemies of the Empire esp barbarian tribes in an extended battle? RE: Are Military Shields Much Heavier and Harder to Use Then People Assume? - M. Val. Naso - 10-10-2022 Reconstructed shields (Dura scutum, Dura oval, Fayum scutum) all linger around 6 kgs, that is 13 pounds. Dura oval reconstructions sometimes miss the rawhide facing and the tapering is inconsistent, so they can hover around - let's say - 6-8 kgs. A large part of the confusion comes from the fact that even we, reenactors don't know how the Romans fought in any given time on the micro level. We have numerous literary sources concerning this, but the picture is just isn't clear. The main strand says that battles were like an equilibrium, punctuated acutely and viciously, but sporadically. Meaning the lines did not go on full force for hours, rather smaller units stepped forward, tried to bash the others' face in, and if they were successful, they pulled their comrades with the impetus. Otherwise they retreated. (Stepping forward and retreating in this context is a case of metres, I'm talking about close proximity.) We do know from later times that melee started with a vicious barrage of missiles, but most of these were used up quickly IMO. The question is: can you rest the shield during fights? I guess - based on the limited knowledge we have - you most certainly can outside the first few minutes/half hour. Republican military strategy actually had elite troops at rest until needed to come forth. You can also rest your arms a bit if you are pulled away, not just when the barrage stops. Also you have to factor one thing in: many people are not used to this. How strong/enduring the poster was? Do they regularly haul weight similar to that? RE: Are Military Shields Much Heavier and Harder to Use Then People Assume? - Dan Howard - 10-10-2022 I think the heaviest shields are the scutums found at Fayum and Doncaster. Reconstructions of both weigh around 10kg. That is twice the weight of the pissy shield in the OP. The weight is nothing for somebody who does manual labour all day. It might be a problem for pasty desk jockeys. |