A History of the Shields of Roman Soldiers

Ancient Roman Shields, while providing protection to Roman Soldiers in battle, also had another use, early psychological warfare. The large crowd of Roman Soldiers coming onto the field of battle, all Roman Soldiers were protected by their Helmets and Ancient Roman Shields, as well their swords were part of their protection, quite a look to an army that was outfitted, wondering how they would ever win a battle such as this. This could have been the reasons why the spread of the Roman Empire went against almost all of Europe.  Their advanced battle tactics made them almost an unstoppable force on the battle field.  Their training also made them one of the most formidable armies in the ancient world.

For an ancient soldier, not only would it have been hard to defend themselves against those bearing Ancient Roman Shields, the construction of the shields themselves proved to be a challenge for offensive attack as well.

The idea behind the modern day plywood is what was used in roman shields which is to glue two pieces of wood Roman Shields were covered with canvas and calf skin out the outer surface, the tops and bottoms of the Ancient Roman Shields were made with metal, normally iron, being made with these things protected the edges in battle or when putting their helmets on the floor. 

Also, a roman shield was made to be curved outward - it is the sides in which curved, instead of being made flat. This here shows how soldiers would protect themselves from arrows and blows the were directed at their sides. Besides, the inside of the Ancient Roman Shields, normally had a piece of metal in which the Roman Soldier would hold allowing them to turn their Shields when they needed also allowing them to change their course and swing their sword as needed.

As a result of battle armor, such as their Ancient Roman Shields, Roman legionnaires went into battle in considerably more preferable positions, physically and psychologically, then their rivals often did.