Roman Shields

by **Guest** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:24 pm

Do any of you know what color the back side of a Roman shield was? Do I use the main color from the front or would it be wood colored?Dennis

by **Suetonius Paullinus** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 3:44 pm

I don't think anybody knows too much about any colours in antiquity.Go with what you like best.All my earlier minis have the front colour at the back of their shield, my more recent ones wood colour. Cheers S.P.

by **Titus Flavius** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 3:54 pm

I do mine as wood too buat according to the Ermine Street Guard's usually very high standard of historical accuracy...

by **zedeyejoe** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:46 pm

WRG armies and enemies of Imperial Rome says red.

by **Suetonius Paullinus** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:54 pm

zedeyejoe said:

WRG armies and enemies of Imperial Rome says red.

What if the shiled design at the front is black? Cheers S.P.

by **Suetonius Paullinus** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:55 pm

Suetonius Paullinus said:

zedeyejoe said:
WRG armies and enemies of Imperial Rome says red.
What if the shield design at the front is black? Cheers S.P.

by **zedeyejoe** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 7:37 pm

Back is always red.

by **A Lot of Gaul** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:11 am

It is worth bearing in mind that Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome was written 30 years ago, and that a number of the things stated as 'fact' at the time were based on evidence that was sketchy at best. Confused

The Roman Army Talk forum ( http://www.romanarmytalk.com/ ) has a number of very good discussions on the subject. Just do a search for "scutum color" and browse the related threads.Cheers,Scott

by **Guest** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 8:27 pm

zedeyejoe Funny you ask that. My shields are indeed black. I used the beautiful transfers purchased from the good folks at Warlord games. (note the webstore) That is exactly why I asked the question. If anyone wonders they come out looking stunning. Dennis

by **Biggus Dickus** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:53 am

I believe, only one classic shape legionaires rectangular scutum has ever been found. I might be wrong on that, but it isn't many. But that's how we all see a Roman Legionary in red with red shield !!!I think the jury is out on that one.......it really is any colour you like. it's unlikely anyone would paint the inside of a shield, far more likely in my humble opinion that it would have been in it's natural state.....wood. ironically we don't really know if they painted the outside of the shields (Blazons) at all, when they did it might have been for parade only or for the areana.I have to say all my Roman troops have shield transfers, they all look pretty cool what ever the colour.

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