06-04-2009, 08:09 PM
FWIW, the weight of the Vatican Etruscan aspis illustrated by Connolly can be calculated, knowing the thickness of bronze and the density of the Poplar wood it was constructed from. This gives a maximum of c. 8kg, and a probable weight around 7 kg when new - the uncertainty being due to probable shrinkage of the wood over time. This shield, judging by its style and construction method ( turned from solid wood) would have made it "heavier" rather than "lighter". Equally corrosion means the bronze layer's original thickness can only be estimated ( at "less than 1 mm").
One ventures to suggest that the Olympia examples have suffered from corrosion too, and that the original may have been slightly thicker ?
One ventures to suggest that the Olympia examples have suffered from corrosion too, and that the original may have been slightly thicker ?
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
