The Scutum, or shield, was the main form of body protection of the Roman soldiers.
It served the purpose to deflect missiles targeted at the soldiers as well as protect them from the impact of hand held weapons yielded at them.
The shields large size allowed the soldiers to form a "tustudo' or shield wall that could protect them during an advance.

In contrast with the earlier oval shield the rectangular scutum was adopted in the first half of the 1st century and was still used in the 3rd century although the oval form was more popular.

Our hexangular Praetorian shield reproduction has a wooden core with linen cover and brass edges.
It is hand painted and measures 119 x 68 cm or 47" x 27".