Quick Facts About the Clipeus
Shape: Oval to round, usually flat or slightly domed.
Users: Initially auxiliary troops (auxilia) and cavalry; later the standard infantry shield.
Dimensions: Ranging from 90 cm to as much as 130 cm high.
- Construction: Vertically glued wooden planks, covered with leather or linen and a metal shield boss (umbo).
Introduction
While the rectangular scutum is the most iconic image of the Roman legionary, the clipeus was the true workhorse of the Roman Empire. This oval round shield offered a unique combination of protection and mobility. From the 1st century BCE onwards, it gradually replaced other shield forms, eventually becoming the dominant shield of the entire Roman army by the late 3rd century CE.
Terminology: What is a Round Shield?
In ancient texts, terms for shields are often used interchangeably. Yet modern historians make a clear distinction:
Parma: A small, completely round shield, later used mainly for ceremonial purposes or by standard bearers.
Aspis (Hoplon): The heavy, deeply domed Greek shield.
- Clipeus: The functional, oval shield of the Roman auxiliary troops and cavalry.
Origins and Development
The clipeus found its way into the Roman arsenal during Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars. The Romans likely adopted this shield type from the Celts. When Emperor Augustus formalized the auxilia (auxiliary troops), the clipeus became their standard equipment. Since the cavalry in this period consisted almost entirely of auxiliary troops, the clipeus became the face of the Roman rider.
The Clipeus as a Cavalry Shield
For a rider, the clipeus offered unique advantages. Thanks to its considerable height (often between 110 and 125 cm), the rider was protected from chin to calf.
Tactics and Control
According to the writer Arrianus, riders with their clipei could even form a 'shield wall' against arrows. A much-debated point is how riders handled their shield in combination with the reins. While some theories speak of vertical handles, gravestones show that trained riders could often steer their horse with their legs alone, leaving the left hand free for active shield use.
Construction and Archaeology
Thanks to spectacular finds at Dura-Europos (Syria) and the Dutch Valkenburg, we know exactly how a clipeus was made:
Core: Thinly glued poplar wood planks.
Covering: Glued on both sides with leather or linen, often colorfully painted with unit insignias.
Edges: Reinforced with sewn raw animal hide or brass. Raw hide had the advantage of shrinking when dry, giving the shield extra rigidity without adding much weight.
Umbo: In the center sat a metal shield boss that protected the grip. On the clipeus, the base of this boss was usually round.
Protection Outside Battle: The Tegimentum
A shield was a valuable possession. To protect the wood and painted leather from rain and sun when not in use, it was kept in a tegimentum (shield cover).
In Valkenburg, goat leather covers have been found that show shields existed in different sizes (for example, 120 x 57 cm for infantry and 92 x 46 cm for cavalry).
These covers were sometimes equipped with a tabula ansata, a text tablet with the name of the unit.
The Clipeus in Art and Religion
Besides military use, the clipeus had a ceremonial role:
Imago Clipeata: Pliny the Elder describes how portraits of ancestors were painted on shields and hung in temples.
Clipeus Virtutis: The 'shield of valor' that the Senate presented to Augustus as a tribute to his virtues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Was the clipeus heavier than the scutum?
A reconstruction of a clipeus from Doncaster weighed approximately 9 kg. This is comparable to the heavy infantry shields from the Republic. Though large, the poplar wood construction made it manageable weight.
How did riders carry their shield while marching?
According to Flavius Josephus, shields were often attached to the saddle during long marches, hanging at the side of the horse so the rider wouldn't get tired.
Summary
The clipeus replaced the scutum as the primary shield of the Roman army in late antiquity.
It offered excellent protection for both infantry and cavalry.
The construction with raw hide and poplar wood was a technical masterpiece of Roman engineering.
- Archaeological finds in Valkenburg and Dura-Europos confirm the enormous variety and spread of this shield type.
Internal Links
The Roman Scutum: The Essential Shield of the Legion
The Parma: The Roman Round Shield of the Velites and Cavalry
Spatha Guide: The Roman Cavalry Sword and Its Evolution
Roman Cavalry: Adaptive Force on the Battlefield
