05-03-2008, 09:51 AM
Did the Romans seem to have had horizontal grips on their shields? Yes.
Were the Romans effective in battle, including the use of their shields, which is attested to in source texts? Yes.
Do modern re-enactors train with double weight shields every day, which obviously does a lot of things to the left arm and wrist, and upper body? No.
Therefore, can the use of the scutum in anger be judged by modern re-enactors use of it? No, unless they train every day with double weight, or use half weight shields.
IMHO.
I have to point out that when Pullo and Vorenus did their famous leaps over the pallisade into the thick of the enemy, one managed to keep the other covered with his shield while fending off a hoard. There was also a centurion in a naval battle who battered the entire enemy crew into submission with his shield after losing his right hand to an axe. Some modern conclusions need some deeper thought applied.
Were the Romans effective in battle, including the use of their shields, which is attested to in source texts? Yes.
Do modern re-enactors train with double weight shields every day, which obviously does a lot of things to the left arm and wrist, and upper body? No.
Therefore, can the use of the scutum in anger be judged by modern re-enactors use of it? No, unless they train every day with double weight, or use half weight shields.
IMHO.
I have to point out that when Pullo and Vorenus did their famous leaps over the pallisade into the thick of the enemy, one managed to keep the other covered with his shield while fending off a hoard. There was also a centurion in a naval battle who battered the entire enemy crew into submission with his shield after losing his right hand to an axe. Some modern conclusions need some deeper thought applied.
TARBICvS/Jim Bowers
A A A DESEDO DESEDO!
A A A DESEDO DESEDO!
