Centurion Position in Battle

[Bryan]

Michael,

No, they look more like shields - I was simply asking, for the previous picture showed them being held strangely. If signifers/aquilifers had small shields (so the unit is identified?) then they were not 3ft diameter parmas.

Here is another signifer with an undoubted shield tucked under his left arm:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...XXXIII.jpg

I don't think that we need get too hung up on the idea that a parma must have a diameter of 3 ft. Polybius may have described such a parma but, in the same way that scutum is actually a generic term for a shield, so parma need mean no more than a small circular shield of no specific dimensions.

To add to that, the scutum/thureos description by Polybius is 2.5 feet by 4 feet. But the fayum scutum was a bit longer and thinner too if I remember. And judging by the gross dimensions of the Altar of Domitius Ahenobarbus, their scuta were certainly taller than 4 feet unless the soldiers were ridiculously short. I doubt the size of any weapon or piece of equipment made by different shops was standardized in the ancient period.

I'd like to know more about this 10x6 formation, in strict rank and file. What evidence is there for either?