Curve sided rectangular scutum

[Andrew Brozyna]

I often see illustrations of Augustan era, 1st century AD soldiers using the curve sided rectangular scutum. (In the Osprey books for example) Does anyone know the archaeological basis for this? I am familiar with such shields depicted on Trajan's Column, the Adamclisi monument, and the reliefs at Mainz, but they are all from much later in the century.<br>
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-Andy <p></p><i></i>

[Matthew Amt]

Well, there aren't any surviving shields of that shape, if that's what you mean. But there are brass shield rim corners that are not a 90 degree angle, shown in Bishop & Coulston and the Vindonissa catalog, for instance. They'd fit the edge of a curve-sided shield perfectly. There are also bosses with hexagonal flanges, that suggest the curve-sided shield outline.<br>
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I do agree that this shape was probably common for a lot longer than just "Augustan". We could use more of them in our own ranks.<br>
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Vale,<br>
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Matthew/Quintus <p></p><i></i>