Very informative vid! One thing I've always wondered was since it is a downward held shield, how did it afford any head protection, I know they had the helmet but surely that would not be enough, given the tests I have seen even with swords on helmets, they may have lifted the shield from the shoulder and leaned back, but it seems a little clumsy given the rigour of battle and formation constraints, would love to hear your take on this, you seem to have alot of practical answers!
Awesome overview and detailed explanation. THANK YOU. So were they made by layering three or more layers of thin long pieces? Is there then a leather facing, or is it sanded/painted wood facing? Also, what is the weight of the scutum?
museum-of-artifacts.blogspot.com/2015/10/roman-scutum-shield-this-is-only-known.html AB - found this info - so still intrigued to see how they are made.
Glad you liked it, from what I remember it weighed around 5kg. The descriptions I have read indicate it was layers of thin pieces of wood laid over each other (alternating in grain direction). Mine is painted on wood. No leather, though I understand leather covers were used to keep thr rain off when not in combat (fish glue may have been used which can dissolve if drenched!).
I bought mine at www.armamentaria.com but I can't see any on there now. First rule as with anything would be to find a reinactment group near to you or at least in your country. Contact them and ask as they will be using the correct kit, they can at least point you in the right direction.
Hi! How do you bash and push with a scutum? The problem that i see is that scutum is curved and because of that you cant bash with the horizontal edge(also is very hard because of the grip). So you could bash with the vertical edge but it looks unpractical. Also, when you are pushing, i guess that the mayor effort you would make its going to be with your shoulder isnt it? But to use you shoulder you would have to lift the shield, and that woudnt put the hand that are lifting the shield in a awkward position that combined with the force that you and your opponent are making it could break you hand?
great questions, I think it's worth considering the types of armour/enemy the legionary was coming up against (i.e. differing types of shield to the scutum and sometimes no shield at all). From holding the shield the boss would be the obvious point of contact you'd be looking to make and the handle does make a short punch (a sort of boxers jab) the most probable. As for pushing you can get a lot of weight behind it and bringing it up slightly to get your shoulder involved, again, seems the most obvious when holding it. That said the diversity of opponents meant the scutum had to do a bit of everything, it wasn't facing one type of enemy continually.
thanks for the link, very interesting video. There is a lot of reference to his points relating to the type of shields he is using, the sctutum isn't like any of them, though some of his points (e.g. balance of the shield and the boss) are relevant.
Yeah owning one, short jabs and pushes seem to be the order of the day, its not shaped well for edge bashing but instead short arm powered jabs, more aggressive ramming (using most of your body, twisting to add momentum) and short charges with your whole body was more useful, giving yourself space if you needed it. A good scutum is also top heavy, so that the top leans backwards slightly, which gives you a lot more of a stable base to push from. They wouldn't really need to bash, just push to open enough room to give them space to maneuver their gladius for whatever kind of thrust they needed.
+Ancient Blogger Ah thanks, but a bit too expensive for my liking as I'm not from the UK, gotta note the high quality of it. Just one more question, is it possible for you to show me a picture of the handle as we're having an argument with my dad over Rome II Total War.
+Ancient Blogger by the way if you going to get a Greek kit as well, would you like to tell me from which period? Archaic , post-pelloponisian Classic or hellenistic ? Maybe i can help you with what i know :)
it's around 42" high and 25" wide though that's measured from top corner to top corner straight across (as opposed to measuring the curve of the scutum).
You'd need to check in with those who are experts in that period. I am comfortable up until the end of Trajan, so it's a little later on! Any change in armour is usually a response to changing tactics and the like so it could have been the way the army fought or what it was defending against which catalysed the change.
Nice video, well explained
thanks!
the scutum cover ad campaign, " cause if you protect your scutum outside of the battle, your scutum will protect you in the battle."
Not enough wealthy men to field hoplite armies?
Rome: BIGGER SHIELDS
Macedon: LONGER SPEARS
Carthage: pay more mercenaries
Very informative vid! One thing I've always wondered was since it is a downward held shield, how did it afford any head protection, I know they had the helmet but surely that would not be enough, given the tests I have seen even with swords on helmets, they may have lifted the shield from the shoulder and leaned back, but it seems a little clumsy given the rigour of battle and formation constraints, would love to hear your take on this, you seem to have alot of practical answers!
Nice video man. Keep uploading!
if rome lasted longer the scutum would have turned into a big sphere around the soldier with a cone on top to cover the head
😄
You should have more views.
very kind of you, my camera broke but I've got one ordered so I will have more up at some point
Awesome overview and detailed explanation. THANK YOU. So were they made by layering three or more layers of thin long pieces? Is there then a leather facing, or is it sanded/painted wood facing? Also, what is the weight of the scutum?
museum-of-artifacts.blogspot.com/2015/10/roman-scutum-shield-this-is-only-known.html
AB - found this info - so still intrigued to see how they are made.
Glad you liked it, from what I remember it weighed around 5kg. The descriptions I have read indicate it was layers of thin pieces of wood laid over each other (alternating in grain direction). Mine is painted on wood. No leather, though I understand leather covers were used to keep thr rain off when not in combat (fish glue may have been used which can dissolve if drenched!).
Nice video 👌👌👌
Very good video and well made.
thanks!
Hold Tight asnee
did y7ou make it or buy one? The marking looks look like the ones Legion VI Ferrata group used, but they're in the US.
Bought it many years ago from a place in the UK which sadly no longer exists.
@@AncientBlogger ah. I remember a place called "armentarium" - they had great stuff.
Informazione tecnica.
Mi dici le misure dello scudo che hai usato nel video?
Grazie mille
Ciao,
41 inches high
32 inches measuring the curve width
thank you!
Were did you get that? So cool.
Bought it several yesrs back from a supplier who is sadly not active anymore. Glad you liked the vlog!
I'm looking to buy a shield do do you know any good places to buy one
I bought mine at www.armamentaria.com but I can't see any on there now. First rule as with anything would be to find a reinactment group near to you or at least in your country. Contact them and ask as they will be using the correct kit, they can at least point you in the right direction.
Ancient Blogger thank you for the help
Hi! How do you bash and push with a scutum? The problem that i see is that scutum is curved and because of that you cant bash with the horizontal edge(also is very hard because of the grip). So you could bash with the vertical edge but it looks unpractical. Also, when you are pushing, i guess that the mayor effort you would make its going to be with your shoulder isnt it? But to use you shoulder you would have to lift the shield, and that woudnt put the hand that are lifting the shield in a awkward position that combined with the force that you and your opponent are making it could break you hand?
great questions, I think it's worth considering the types of armour/enemy the legionary was coming up against (i.e. differing types of shield to the scutum and sometimes no shield at all). From holding the shield the boss would be the obvious point of contact you'd be looking to make and the handle does make a short punch (a sort of boxers jab) the most probable.
As for pushing you can get a lot of weight behind it and bringing it up slightly to get your shoulder involved, again, seems the most obvious when holding it. That said the diversity of opponents meant the scutum had to do a bit of everything, it wasn't facing one type of enemy continually.
thanks for the link, very interesting video. There is a lot of reference to his points relating to the type of shields he is using, the sctutum isn't like any of them, though some of his points (e.g. balance of the shield and the boss) are relevant.
Thanks, it was very useful . Great video also. Keep making more
Yeah owning one, short jabs and pushes seem to be the order of the day, its not shaped well for edge bashing but instead short arm powered jabs, more aggressive ramming (using most of your body, twisting to add momentum) and short charges with your whole body was more useful, giving yourself space if you needed it. A good scutum is also top heavy, so that the top leans backwards slightly, which gives you a lot more of a stable base to push from. They wouldn't really need to bash, just push to open enough room to give them space to maneuver their gladius for whatever kind of thrust they needed.
RayvenQ never heard about the top heavy aspect, interesting idea!
Where did you get this? Or if you made it, how did you do that?
I got it via Armamentaria many years ago, sadly I don't think they are in business anymore.
@@AncientBlogger okay, thank you
Do they sell these anywhere, or how did you get a hold of one?
+A. Soldier I got my kit from here: www.armamentaria.com/store/ very good quality.
+Ancient Blogger Ah thanks, but a bit too expensive for my liking as I'm not from the UK, gotta note the high quality of it. Just one more question, is it possible for you to show me a picture of the handle as we're having an argument with my dad over Rome II Total War.
Don't have a camcorder at the moment but perhaps I can help if you ask what it is you need to clarify?
Ancient Blogger How do you grab it exactly, like the Greek Hoplite shields or?
+A. Soldier no, it's a horizontal grip. My twitter is @ancientblogger and I'll put a pic on there for you.
a corinthian helmet shirt yet you speak only about Roman stuff ;) will you make some Greek related videos too? :)
I'd love to, I only have Roman kit at the moment. What would you be interested in within the Greek sphere?
mostly the xiphos and the kit of the arcaic hoplites of 480-490bc
+Ancient Blogger by the way if you going to get a Greek kit as well, would you like to tell me from which period? Archaic , post-pelloponisian Classic or hellenistic ? Maybe i can help you with what i know :)
Can you add the exact size of your scutum?
it's around 42" high and 25" wide though that's measured from top corner to top corner straight across (as opposed to measuring the curve of the scutum).
Thanks :)
Who made your scutum?
I bought it several years back from the same place I got my lorica, sadly they are no longer in operation.
Ancient Blogger, but why did the Roman empire discard the Scutum to their Legio Comitatensis during circa 350 A.D.?
You'd need to check in with those who are experts in that period. I am comfortable up until the end of Trajan, so it's a little later on! Any change in armour is usually a response to changing tactics and the like so it could have been the way the army fought or what it was defending against which catalysed the change.
Are you a member of a re-enactment group, if so, which one?....nice vid
dog11222 I have done some work with Legio II Augusta and many years ago the Ermine Street Guard. Glad you enjoyed it!
Oi, make new videos