04-02-2008, 03:04 PM
Very good point. Personally, I find it hard to believe an ancient scutum would have been any more durable than our modern reproductions. We use modern plywood (Marine ply) and wood hardening resin compounds, high quality linen and leather, none of which were widely available to our ancient brothers (certainly not the ply and resin anyway), so I think it's fairly safe to say they would not have lasted any longer (say 40 hours of actual combat).
BUT, how many legionaries actually saw 40 hours of actual combat in a year? So I guess some shields just fell apart due to old age and some due to combat exposure and old age. And of course some never made it out of thier first battle
BUT, how many legionaries actually saw 40 hours of actual combat in a year? So I guess some shields just fell apart due to old age and some due to combat exposure and old age. And of course some never made it out of thier first battle
MARCVS VLPIVS NERVA (aka Martin McAree)
www.romanarmy.ie
Legion Ireland - Roman Military Society of Ireland
Legionis XX Valeria Victrix Cohors VIII
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.romanarmy.ie
Legion Ireland - Roman Military Society of Ireland
Legionis XX Valeria Victrix Cohors VIII
[email protected]
[email protected]
