Scutum
（
θυρεός). The large oblong shield generally adopted by the
Roman infantry instead of the round buckler (
clipeus), at the period when
the military ceased to serve without pay. It was about four feet long by two and a half wide;
formed out of boards, like a door (whence the Greek terms
θύρα and
θυρεός), firmly joined together and
covered over with coarse cloth, under an outer coating of raw-hide, attached and strengthened
round
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Roman Soldiers with Shields. (Bartoli.)
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the edges by a metal rim. The men of each legion had their shields painted of a
different colour and charged with distinctive symbols (
Livy, i. 43;
viii. 8; Pliny ,
Pliny H. N. xvi. 77;
Aen viii. 662; Veg.
Mil. ii. 18; Polyb. ii. 30, 3; vi. 23, 2). See
Arma;
Clipeus.
