Scutum
Showing all 13 results
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Roman Scutum, Compact Size (35″ x 20″)
SKU: AH3853WThe scutum was the primary form of body protection carried by Roman soldiers, deflecting incoming missiles as well as absorbing the impact of hand-held weapons in close combat. This reproduction is sized at approximately 35 by 20 inches, a more compact build than our larger scutum options. Suited to wearers wanting a lighter, more manageable shield without sacrificing the recognisable scutum silhouette.
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Roman Arena Shield, Standard
SKU: AH3992WThe scutum was the primary form of body protection carried by Roman soldiers, deflecting incoming missiles as well as absorbing the impact of hand-held weapons in close combat. This version reflects the shields used in the Roman arena, adapted from military scutum design for use by certain classes of gladiator. This standard build offers an alternative to our linen-covered arena shield.
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Cavalry Scutum, Oval Pattern
SKU: AH3998WThe scutum was the primary form of body protection carried by Roman soldiers, deflecting incoming missiles as well as absorbing the impact of hand-held weapons in close combat. This reproduction recreates an oval scutum pattern associated with Roman cavalry, or equites, distinct from the rectangular infantry shield. A lighter, more manoeuvrable oval shape suited mounted troops who needed to control a horse as well as defend themselves.
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Dura-Europos Legionary Scutum, Museum Pattern
SKU: AH6718LScutum is the Latin word for shield, though in modern usage it has come to specifically mean the rectangular, semi-cylindrical body shield carried by Roman legionaries. This reproduction is modelled on the Dura-Europos scutum, the only surviving example of this classic semi-cylindrical form, excavated from a Syrian frontier city destroyed in 256 AD and now held at the Yale University Art Gallery. The original was built from three layers of thin wooden strips covered in painted fabric and hide, decorated with an eagle and laurel wreath, winged Victories, and a lion — decoration this reproduction recreates.
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Centurion’s Scutum
SKU: AH6711The scutum was the primary form of body protection carried by Roman soldiers, deflecting incoming missiles as well as absorbing the impact of hand-held weapons in close combat. This reproduction recreates the officer-grade scutum associated with the centurion, commander of roughly eighty men within a Roman legion. Styled and finished to reflect a centurion’s rank, distinct from the standard-issue shield of the ordinary legionary.
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Praetorian Guard Oval Scutum
SKU: AH6710The Praetorians used an oval shield early in their history, a form confirmed by a surviving tombstone from Aquileia, in continuous use into the reign of Domitian (81 to 96 AD). This distinguishes Praetorian shield practice from the rectangular scutum more commonly associated with the ordinary legionary of the same period. This reproduction recreates that oval Praetorian pattern, styled after Rome’s elite imperial bodyguard.
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Republican Scutum, Oval Pattern III
SKU: AH6128The scutum was the primary form of body protection carried by Roman soldiers, deflecting incoming missiles as well as absorbing the impact of hand-held weapons in close combat. This reproduction offers a further alternative build within our Republican-pattern scutum range, recreating the oval form that preceded the rectangular Imperial shield. Vertical curvature helped deflect blows while the oval profile maintained broad frontal coverage.
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Republican Scutum, Oval Pattern II
SKU: AH6127The scutum was the primary form of body protection carried by Roman soldiers, deflecting incoming missiles as well as absorbing the impact of hand-held weapons in close combat. This reproduction offers an alternative build to our other Republican-pattern scutum, recreating the oval form that preceded the rectangular Imperial shield. Vertical curvature helped deflect blows while the oval profile maintained broad frontal coverage.
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The scutum was the primary form of body protection carried by Roman soldiers, deflecting incoming missiles as well as absorbing the impact of hand-held weapons in close combat. This reproduction recreates the rectangular, semi-cylindrical scutum adopted in the Augustan era, the shield most associated with the ordinary legionary infantryman. Its curved shape improved lateral protection and made it a key element of the testudo formation, the famous shield-wall tactic used against missile fire.
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Roman Arena Shield, Linen Covered
SKU: AH3992LThe scutum was the primary form of body protection carried by Roman soldiers, deflecting incoming missiles as well as absorbing the impact of hand-held weapons in close combat. This version reflects the shields used in the Roman arena, adapted from military scutum design for use by certain classes of gladiator. Finished with a linen covering, this reproduction combines historical construction technique with a genuine arena aesthetic.
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Republican Scutum, Oval Pattern
SKU: AH3877The scutum was the primary form of body protection carried by Roman soldiers, deflecting incoming missiles as well as absorbing the impact of hand-held weapons in close combat. This reproduction recreates the oval scutum of the Republican period, the form that preceded the more famous rectangular Imperial shield. Vertical curvature helped deflect blows while the oval profile maintained broad frontal coverage, a genuine tactical improvement over the earlier round shields derived from Etruscan and Greek tradition.
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Roman Scutum, Unpainted Blank
SKU: AH3853NPThe scutum was the primary form of body protection carried by Roman soldiers, deflecting incoming missiles as well as absorbing the impact of hand-held weapons in close combat. This unpainted scutum blank gives re-enactors and hobbyists a genuine base to decorate with their own unit colours or personal design. Built to correct scutum proportions and curvature, it’s ready for painting rather than pre-finished.
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Roman Scutum, Legio XIIII Pattern, Linen Covered
SKU: AH3853LThis traditional Roman scutum is built from painted linen-covered hardwood, decorated in the classic red and yellow pattern associated with Legio XIIII. A wooden brace on the back gives the shield a curve tighter than 9 inches, following genuine scutum construction principles for improved lateral protection. Measuring approximately 42″ x 33″, this reproduction recreates a specific, identifiable legionary unit’s shield markings.
