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 Hoplomachus Gladiator Equites themselves.
Parma,shield // Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additions). - St. Petersburg,1890-1907. William Smith,BCL.,LL.D.:A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities,John Murray,London,1875. Parma
Drawing of the oval shield from Dura-Europos after the excavation publication. The drawing shows curvature, boards and boss placement better than the colour photograph.Interested in Ancient Rome beyond reading? Join Legio X Fretensis or explore our reenactment directions.