Late-Roman Scuta

[aitor iriarte]

The problem with the shield boards is that they are always recovered flattened, after centuries of laying flat, with earth pressure on them and, mostly, in damp watterlogged levels. You cannot expect to recover a dished board from an archaeological level!<br>
The best indicative for dished shields are the shield bosses. If their rims aren't flat, then the board wasn't flat either!<br>
I cannot state it categorically but make a survey on the surviving (reasonably intact) Roman or Germanic bosses and count how many of them have flat rims!<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i></i>

[FAVENTIANVS]

But the dura-europos rectangular shield stil had its curve, and so the al-fayum one, why is that?<br>
<br>
Although, the survey of the metal bosses is a good method. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=faventianvs>FAVENTIANVS</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://www.myezboard.com/projects/ezboard/ezboard_userimages/romanarmytalk/images/ivariconRAT.jpg" BORDER=0> at: 10/30/04 2:44 pm<br></i>

[aitor iriarte]

Well, both shields aren't planked, they are made of plywood and they are only curved in one direction. Both were recovered in dry environments. I don't know much about the circumstances of the El-Fayum shield but I think it was in a tomb. I know more about the Dura shield thanks to Simon<br>
James' book and it was recovered crushed to pieces. Its actual restored curvature is deeper than the original one bcause the back-frame was removed.<br>
The famous painted oval shields from Dura were made of planks and was flattened when recovered. They had lost their umbones but they are thought to be originally dished, anyway.<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Well, guys, I have just started my experimentation in building a dished wooden shield made of seperate planks. I will let you all know how it turns out in a couple of days...wish me luck! <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, miles gregarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[FAVENTIANVS]

Good luck!<br>
<br>
FORTVNA IVAT AVDACES! <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=faventianvs>FAVENTIANVS</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://www.myezboard.com/projects/ezboard/ezboard_userimages/romanarmytalk/images/ivariconRAT.jpg" BORDER=0> at: 11/2/04 3:54 pm<br></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Here is my late Roman shield (the flat one). I painted the back with a replica of the Hinton-St.Mary mosaic of Christ provided to me by Aitor, and I added the border from a mosaic from Bignor Villa.<br>
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v384/Lucius68/LuciusShield.jpg" style="border:0;"/> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v384/Lucius68/LuciusShieldBack.jpg" style="border:0;"/><br>
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v384/Lucius68/LuciusShieldCloseupofBack.jpg" style="border:0;"/> <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, miles gregarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[Uwe Bahr]

WOW, Metellus, a very fine painting job, You even succeeded in the best way to copy the art style of that time.<br>
<br>
Uwe <p></p><i></i>

[Robert Vermaat]

Oh man, that's simply gorgeous!<br>
You are obviously an artist-that back is very neatly done.<br>
Very oval though, the shield.<br>
valete,<br>
Valerius/Robert <p></p><i></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Aww shucks!!! Thanks guys! <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, miles gregarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[aitor iriarte]

Gosh! Nice painting! Bear in mind that Robert, the 'apostle' of the late oval shields has said that your shield is too oval. For me, the 'apostle' of late round shields, it looks simply like an early imperial auxiliary shield...<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Thanks Aitor! <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, draconarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

After seeing Frater Metellus' art work I have decided to try my hand at a similar feat. I ain't going all crazy with a ton of borders. I'm using the following mosaic for my inspiration. It's well under way.<br>
<br>
cgi.bbc.co.uk/history/anc...y_04.shtml<br>
<br>
Lvcivs Commodvs Cicero<br>
Seguntienses <p>[url=http://www.freewebs.com/davekufner" target="top]www.freewebs.com/davekufner[/url]</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=davekufner>Dave Kufner</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Segontium/" BORDER=0> at: 11/21/04 2:35 am<br></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Ave Cicero!<br>
Let us see how it turns out, my friend! <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, draconarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Ave,<br>
<br>
Well I finished painting just before noon today. Now if the photos I emailed myself will ever show up.<br>
<br>
Vale,<br>
<br>
Cicero <p>[url=http://www.freewebs.com/davekufner" target="top]www.freewebs.com/davekufner[/url]</p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Wow, that's absolutely excellent work. Cheers to a noble effort. <p>[url=http://www.alexchiu.com/affiliates/clickthru.cgi?id=qan" target="top]Possibly the most bizarre site you have ever seen: <img src="http://www.alexchiu.com/affiliates.gif" style="border:0;"/>[/url]</p><i></i>