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It is interesting to note that Trajan's column features both scutum and rounded shields fighting side by side. – Karlth Jul 5 '13 at 14:36
@PieterGeerkens very interesting observation! – o0'. Nov 14 '13 at 15:19
up vote 10 down vote accepted





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and those are Italian Carabineri doing the same:




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The Scutum was discontinued because around the 3rd century AD the Roman Legions were mostly made up of Auxilia. This created more "barbarian" influence in the Legions. Eventually the Roman Legionary began to look more like a Germanic warrior instead of what most people think of when they hear the term Roman soldier.

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They probably lost their training and tactics too. The rectangular shield had some of its strengths in close formation. See Spyder's answer. – jjack Jun 15 '15 at 20:01

The Scutum was too expensive as was the Lorica Segmentata, and the training of the Legionnaires. And as was said prior Roman Citizens didn't really want to die in a foreign land and so Rome had to rely more upon Auxiliaries and Foederati as well as Sagittari, and many others. Rome became lazy in the basic sense and the Barbarians saw good pay and protection for their families and their tribes who were allowed to settle in Roman boarders for their services. The Scutum was made of 3 pieces of wood wrapped in leather with cast iron on the edges and in the center. The Shield they used later was only 1 piece of wood with cast iron on the edges and center, much like that of the barbarians who fought for Rome. Rome also got rid of the Pila and replaced it with s Plumbart or Lead Dart it all was because Legionnaires, Scutums, Gladius, Lorica Segmentata, and Pila were costly but affective. Later Emperor's didn't care about effectiveness they were Rome they were the best military conquerors of many nations. So came the Comitanses, Spatha, Round Shields, Lorica Hamata, and Plumbart. Cheaper, but not as effective.

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