Subject: eques illyricianus 'Illyrian' cavalryman
Culture: Roman
Setting: late Roman empire 3rd-4thc
Object: clipeus shield
* Metropolitan Museum of Art > Stone Gallery of Arms and Armor
"Shield Boss and Grip Iron, silver-gilt, glass Gallo-Roman, late 4th century
These objects come from the tomb of a military official in Vermand, France,
an area known in the fourth century as Gaul, which was then still a province
of the Roman Empire. The boss, or umbo, was originally attached over a
hole in the center of a circular or oval wooden shield. The shield was carried
by the grip, which was riveted across the hollow center of the shield on the
inner side. The Vermand treasure also includes a belt buckle, a decorative
plaque, and the fittings from a spear shaft ...."
