Why did the scutum have a horizontal grip?

[Paulus Claudius Damianus]

Hello!!

All these fighting technics are efficient in battle order line. It is not a duel simulation but a really variety of technics using in battle order. we try another simulation; three swordmen against three swordmen in line and don't moving place.

The scutum using is important to create an natural cover for the right and left side co-militio. The arms distance protect the soldier to the curt weapon. The scramasax for example (50 cm blade) don't passing the side of the shield and don't touch the warrior.

We don't make the scutum side hit on the adversary face cause to security. But some test the clash the upper part to the ennemy shield with the side of our scutum touch faces and create a "passing shot" to the blade.

If we follow the vegetius advice; (the right foot go the roman weapon hit) we have all place to use scutum in dynamic view... Spatha and scutum is most active than the classical rectangular shield and gladius. The spatha touch in first. Long sword and lenticular scutum is most efficent. The rectangular shield side by side don't permit to move and use the shield like the lenticular or round shield side by side (three foot distance beetwen each warriors: the scutum are side by side, not side on side...)

Of course. The combat create some good occasion and the warrior touch left or right ennemy in front him if they are not cover. Face, arms and leg are the target and part of body most touching by blade and offensive scutum.

Another experience we think that the Hasta is not use (except for the tactical technics against cavalry) like thrusting weapon, but primary like an throwing weapon. Some simulation show that if you use the hasta like thrust weapon (ex: under the shoulder or like the ancient hoplite...) the swordman with his scutum always come in the adversary and push the hasta with the shield and touch easy the adversary.

For all the video technics, we have just need to the Vegatius distance to using the scutum and sword like that. in pushing situation the co-militio bottom the first line figther push on the back to resist and the soldier try to touch the ennemy and conserve the protection scutum distance. The most important point don't breaking down by the massive number to the ennemy pushing. But they must conserve a minimal place to use the sword and the shield because the game si not a Rugby or american soccer rules to destroy the warriors lines but but kill and hurt the ennemy to destroy the lines!!