Italian hoplite

[hoplite14gr]

I can tell you of Taras (Modern Taranto) because I researched it an it was pulished last week as part of my Pyrros army article.

Shields had white background as authors call speak of "white shields".

The Tarentine aristokrats would probaly sport a 2-bodied sphinx as it is always found on their grave and votive art.

The common folk would have the Hippocampos of Poseidon.
Some coins of Taras show the founding hero Tara - son of Poseidon to sport a miniature version on his buckler(!) while riding a dolphin.

Remember though that "smart colonists" hired "maimland country bumcins" to do their fighting for them.
For a period they hired Argive exiles hence a white shiled with no markings.

If you have a colony in mind I will look it up.

Kind regards