Parma

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Parma — a round shield in ancient Rome. Sometimes you can find a diminutive form of the word "parmula "(parmula).

Parma was made similarly to the clipeus from several layers of wooden boards, which were covered with leather. It was a wooden disk with a diameter of 50-100 cm, sometimes slightly bent. The edge was reinforced with metal edging (iron or brass), and a metal umbon was installed in the center to protect the brush (see scutum. There was a handle on the inside.

Parma was part of the equipment of the soldiers of the legion banner group, auxilia, as well as horsemen: parma equestris — "cavalry parma".

With the help of parma, the ancient Roman gladiators hoplomachus and equites could defend themselves.

Related topics

Legion, Shild, Scutum, Clipeus

Literature

Parma, shield // Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron : in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additions). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.

William Smith, D.C.L., LL.D.:A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875. Parma