round shield

gladiator round shield

A round bronze shield (clipeus) with a head of Medusa in the center surrounded by laurel wreaths catches your eye, and you think that the copper and silver inlays must be quite a beautiful sight when shining in the sun. Only the Hoplomachus, whose armor is derived from that of the Greek hoplite, carries this type of shield, and you remember a stirring scene when a Hoplomachus compelled a Murmillo to lay down his shield and raise his index finger in the gesture of surrender.