A ''parma'' or ''parmula'' (the diminutive of ''parma'') was a type of round shield used by the

Roman army The Roman army () served ancient Rome and the Roman people, enduring through the Roman Kingdom (753–509 BC), the Roman Republic (509–27 BC), and the Roman Empire (27 BC–AD 1453), including the Western Roman Empire (collapsed Fall of the W ...

, especially during the later period of imperial history since the 3rd century.

Characteristics

The ''parma'' was about 36 inches (91 cm) across (or less) and had iron in its frame, making it a very effective piece of armour. ''Parmae'' had handles and shield bosses (''umbones''). The ''parma'' was used by legionaries in the early republican period of Rome's history, by the lowest class division of the army— the ''

velites ''Velites'' (; : ) were a class of infantry in the Roman army of the mid-Republic from 211 to 107 BC. ''Velites'' were light infantry and skirmishers armed with javelins (), each with a 75cm (30 inch) wooden shaft the diameter of a finger, with ...

''. Their equipment consisted of a ''parma'', javelin, sword and helmet. Later, the ''parma'' was replaced by the body-length '' scutum'' as ''velites'' were phased out with the so-called "

Marian reforms The Marian reforms were putative changes to the composition and operation of the Roman army during the late Roman Republic usually attributed to Gaius Marius (a general who was consul in 107, 104–100, and 86 BC). The most important of ...

War use

It was used mainly by auxiliary infantry and cavalry, with the

legionaries The ancient Rome, Roman legionary (in Latin ''legionarius''; : ''legionarii'') was a citizen soldier of the Roman army. These soldiers would conquer and defend the territories of ancient Rome during the Crisis of the Roman Republic, Republic and ...

preferring the heavier but more protective ''scutum'', during earlier periods. It was used also by '' signiferi'' (standard bearers). In

Virgil Publius Vergilius Maro (; 15 October 70 BC21 September 19 BC), usually called Virgil or Vergil ( ) in English, was an ancient Rome, ancient Roman poet of the Augustan literature (ancient Rome), Augustan period. He composed three of the most fa ...

's ''

Aeneid The ''Aeneid'' ( ; or ) is a Latin Epic poetry, epic poem that tells the legendary story of Aeneas, a Troy, Trojan who fled the Trojan War#Sack of Troy, fall of Troy and travelled to Italy, where he became the ancestor of the Ancient Rome ...

'', the ''parma'' is cited as a weapon utilised by the Teucrians in defence against the Greeks ( Battle of Troy), and later against the Rutulians.

Other uses

The ''parmula'' was the shield used by thraex gladiators. It was also used by the Roman ''vexilliferi'' or flag bearers that carried the standard that marked the cohort, as well as by most early auxiliaries. In the Pyrrhic dance it was raised above the head and struck with a sword so as to emit a loud ringing noise.

References

External links

Parma
(Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities at

LacusCurtius LacusCurtius is the ancient Graeco-Roman part of a large history website, hosted as of March 2025 on a server at the University of Chicago. Starting in 1995, as of January 2004 it gave "access to more than 594 photos, 559 drawings and engravings, ...

) European weapons Roman shields Late Roman military {{AncientRome-mil-stub

Characteristics

War use

Other uses

See also

References

External links