The Scutum was carried by Roman soldiers from 100 A.D. onward. These large size Roman Scutums are linen covered and have a large Brass Boss for hand protection. The core is made of Plywood, and then painted over. Each shield is individually hand painted.

The rectangular scuta were constructed largely of strips of overlapping bentwood, possibly set in place by steaming over a curved form (in much the same way as a modern plywood chair is made) although no direct evidence survives to prove this. This meant the shield was strong and yet light enough to be carried over long distances. The best surviving example, from Dura-Europos in Syria, was 1.06 m (42in) in height, a chord of 0.66 m (26in), with a distance around the curve of 0.86 m (34in), and a thickness of 5 mm to 6 mm.

The curved shape of the shield allowed it to absorb (and deal) heavy blows, while the sides sloped away from the attacker, allowing arrows and enemy blows to glance off without transmitting the full force of the impact to the legionary sheltering behind it. The boss in the centre of the shield (the umbo), constructed either from copper alloy (brass or bronze) or iron, was itself used offensively, being heavy and dense enough to stun or wind an opponent (easing the legionnaire''s subsequent strike with his gladius).

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  MEASUREMENTS:

 Height:1.06m
 Width:o.66m
 Weight:4.6kg

Originally the spatha was used by the Roman cavalry and as horsemen were regularly recruited from Gallic tribes the sword owes its origin to the Celts who when recruited were  issued chainmail shirts, oval shields, helmets and swords of their own native style.   

 Early spathae are depicted on tombstones with hilts and scabbards very close to legionary types. It is likely that the auxiliary cavalry units copied legionary fashions making these swords essentially a hybrid between Celtic and Roman weapon design.

The spatha began to replace the shorter gladius as the primary Roman sword from about AD.100 onwards. The Romans continued to use their spathae right up until the decline of the Roman Empire

MEASUREMENTS:     

Overall Length: 35"
Blade: 25" x 1 7/8"  (EN45 Spring Steel)
Weight: 3 1/4 lbs

 The Roman Gladius (SH2032) is based on the “waisted” pattern, its light blade and typical wooden guard and pommel arrangement making for a very quick sword indeed. The segmented bone handle and beautifully detailed scabbard with battle scenes in bas-relief complete a sword that any legionaire or centurion would have been proud to own

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The  Roman Dagger (SH2139), or Pugio, replicates an original that survives in remarkably good condition in a European musuem. The classic broad, waisted blade is ridged and fullered for stiffness and lightness, and the full-width tang matches the profile of the grip. The decoration of the grip an scabbard, like the original, are decorated in a silver on black niello style. A perfect piece for Roman persona.

MEASUREMENTS:

The Roman trooper typically carried at least one Pilum, a weapon as intrinsic to Roman combat tactics as the short sword. The Pilum had a long, relatively soft iron shaft which, though certainly capable of penetrating its intended target, was likely to bend on striking armor or the ground, thus making it useless to be thrown back. A common tactic when using the Pilum against troops with shields was to pierce the opponent’s shield, whereupon the shaft would bend, making extraction difficult. The opposing soldier, thus encumbered, was likely to throw down his shield, losing his defense against the infamous Roman short sword. Our Pilum is of the traditional flanged type and may be disassembled for ease of transportation to events.

MEASUREMENTS:

PRODUCT LENGTH:  7 ft 3 inch
PRODUCT WEIGHT:   3lb 3oz