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Scutum (; plural ''scuta'') is the Latin word for ''shield'', although it has in modern times come to be specifically associated with the rectangular, semi-cylindrical body shield carried by Roman legionaries. Historically, Roman shields were of varying types depending on the role of the soldier who carried it. Oval, circular and rectangular shields were used throughout Roman history. ==History== In the days of Ancient Rome, Roman soldiers often bore round shields called ''aspidai'' (ἄσπιδαι) by the Greeks, in the fashion of Greek hoplites. The oval ''scutum'' is depicted on the Altar of Domitius Ahenobarbus in Rome, the Aemilius Paullus monument at Delphi, and there is an actual example found at Kasr el-Harit in Egypt. Gradually the ''scutum'' evolved into the rectangular (or sub-rectangular) type of the early Roman Empire. By the end of the 3rd century the rectangular ''scutum'' seems to have disappeared. Fourth century archaeological finds (especially from the fortress of Dura-Europos) indicate the subsequent use of oval or round shields which were not semi-cylindrical, but were either dished (bowl-shaped) or flat. Roman artwork from the end of the 3rd century till the end of Antiquity show soldiers wielding oval or round shields. The word "''scutum''" survived the old Roman Empire and entered the military vocabulary of the Byzantine Empire. Even in the 11th century the Byzantines called their armoured soldiers ''skutatoi'' (Grk. σκυτατοι). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Scutum (shield)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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