Shield Markings

**Caratacos** · 01-09-2007, 10:11

As this is a place of knowledge I thought this would be the best place to ask something that has puzzled me for a while.

Did the shield markings/colours have any significance-- particularly for warriors of the tribal barbarian nations?

I've never read it anywhere but i thought that having certain colours would be a good way to tell friend from foe in the heat of battle. I also thought that might also be a reason why it was such a terrible act to throw down one's shield (that is if it had tribal significance).

If anyone can shed some light i'd be very grateful.

**blacksnail** · 01-09-2007, 16:52

On a purely practical level, throwing down your shield meant you were leaving its weight behind so you could run away faster.

**Watchman** · 01-09-2007, 20:37

Which was naturally frowned on as a cowardly thing to do, since Real Men(tm) aren't supposed to run away to begin with.

Not that most people actually cared. Some even composed eloquent poems on the virtue of surviving to fight another day...

**Spectral** · 01-09-2007, 21:20

Some even composed eloquent poems on the virtue of surviving to fight another day...

I'm under the impression that far more poems were written about staying and dying heroically ;)

**BigTex** · 01-09-2007, 21:37

Not completely certain of this historical fact. But many would paint their shields themselves. Much like the bomber and fighter crews in WWII put elaborate paintings on their planes. For good luck and to mark something as ones own.

Generally speaking the only reason you would throw down your shield is to rid yourself of all that weight and wind resistance. There's only one thing you would really be doing if you are trying to run faster. That's running from the field, disposing of your shield was always looked upon as a sign of someone who ran.