question about roman shield decorations.

[jkaler48]

Ok I just joined two, but.. there's only 1 picture off a original...
So still remains the question why do we paint our shields the way we do?

Using known shield elements from Trajen's monument and others
reenactment units have designed what are possible scutum/cliptus/parma
designs that look neat and are usually distinctive to the unit. (And not the Deepeeeka design!) A few units have adopted the same pattern to make a more uniform demonstration when they have events together. (XX and V are an example) Many units use original paint types available in the Roman
era. It would be easier if we had the Roman Empire National Geographic edition with the color plates of all the Legion shields but no surviving copy has been found yet!

[Folkert van Wijk]

So considering the style of the painting besides the design, everybody does just what they think looks roman...