Quick Facts About the Clipeus
Shape: Completely round, usually flat.
Users: Velites (light infantry), Signiferi (standard bearers), cavalry and gladiators.
Dimensions: Diameter usually between 50 cm and 91 cm.
Construction: Wood with an iron rim and a central metal shield boss (umbo).
Introduction
The parma was a specific type of round shield that played a crucial role within various units of the Roman army and the gladiatorial arena. Although the rectangular scutum is more well-known, the parma was indispensable for soldiers who needed speed and freedom of movement. It was equipped with handles on the inside and a metal shield boss (umbo) in the center to protect the hand.
Terminology of Round Shields
Classical writers often used terms for round shields interchangeably, but modern historians make a clear distinction based on function and shape:
Parma: A relatively small round shield, later often with a ceremonial function for officers and standard bearers.
Aspis (Hoplon): The deep, wooden round shield of the Greek and early Roman hoplites.
Clipeus: A large oval round shield that from the 3rd century AD became the standard infantry shield.
The Origins of the Parma
The roots of this shield lie in the Bronze Age. As early as the 8th and 7th centuries BC, bronze round shields with a central handle were used on both sides of the Alps. While the earliest examples of solid bronze were true combat shields, later, lighter variants probably served ceremonial purposes. This type of shield presumably forms the technical basis for the later Roman parma.
The Parma During the Republic
In the early republican period, the parma was carried by the velites, the lightly-armed infantry from the lower classes. Their equipment consisted of a parma, javelins (pila), a sword and a helmet. For these young, agile warriors, a large, heavy shield was impractical; the parma provided them with the necessary protection during their rapid sorties. After the Celtic plundering of Rome in 390 BC, the heavy infantry switched to the larger scutum, but the parma remained essential for light troops.
The Cavalry Parma
Like the Hellenistic cavalry, the Roman equites were equipped with a relatively small round shield with a diameter of 50 to 80 centimeters: the parma equestris. This shield was depicted in various forms during the late Republic and early Empire, protecting the rider without hindering the handling of the reins or the use of the lance.
The Parma in the Imperial Period
After the reforms in the 1st century BC, the parma continued in use, but the focus shifted toward specialized units. It was carried by standard bearers and the band, indicating an ongoing ceremonial and prestigious character. Nevertheless, these parmas remained fully functional in combat. In the arena, the parma was also the distinctive shield of the thraex and hoplomachus gladiators.
A particularly ritual use was the Pyrrhic dance. During this ceremonial war dance, soldiers held the parma above their heads and struck it rhythmically with their swords to produce an intimidating, resonant sound.
Classical Writers on the Parma
Various authors from antiquity confirm the importance of this weapon:
Livy: Describes the parma as the standard equipment of the velites.
Virgil: Uses the term poetically in the Aeneid to denote the heroism of the early warriors.
Vegetius: Discusses in the 4th century AD the usefulness of the shield for light troops and cavalry.
Summary
The parma was the ideal shield for soldiers who preferred speed and maneuverability over maximum protection. It was also the visual hallmark of Roman standard bearers (signiferi). Due to its light construction and deep ceremonial roots, the shield remained an essential part of military identity throughout Roman history.
Looking for an authentic parma or umbo for your own Roman outfit?
Internal Links
The Clipeus: The Roman Oval Shield of the Auxilia
The Roman Cavalry: Adaptive Force on the Battlefield
The Roman Scutum: The Indispensable Shield of the Legion
The Buckler: History and Typology of the Fist Shield
