How to use a Gladius?? -- myArmoury.com

David Lohnes · Posted: Mon 08 Mar, 2010 5:11 am Post subject:

I'm lovin' this thread.

I've got a question about scutum use given its weight.
I understand it was on the order of 20 lbs, and it had a (usually?) horizontal center grip. I would think that would make quick handling difficult for even short periods of time. Can anybody comment on how all that wieght affects tactics? Shield knocks and such sound great in theory, but the idea of lifting the shield up to cut under it sounds . . . like something I couldn't do.

A one-handed shield wieghing twenty pounds falls in the same category as the 120-150+ lb war bow: things I wouldn't believe were it not for the copious historical evidence.

Matthew Amt · Posted: Mon 08 Mar, 2010 7:19 am Post subject:

Ave!

Mind that there are very few extant examples, and we're talking about a time spread of 5 or 6 centuries! The larger oval scutum of the Republic was a good 4 feet tall, and could indeed weigh 20 pounds or more. By the end of the Republic, it was much shorter and apparently thinner, with a weight as low as 12 pounds. Most of what you need to do with a scutum is moving it up and down, very simple indeed with the horizontal grip. We know they did other things as well, but with daily training it all gets a lot easier.

That help?

Matthew