Shield

A piece of defensive armor, borne on the left arm, to ward off the strokes of the sword and of mi iles. It has been constantly used from ancient times, through the Middle Ages, till the invention of fire-arms. The large shield worn by the Greeks and Romans ( clipe us ) was circular, and often ornamented with devices. Another form of shield ( scutum ) was used by the Roman heavy-armed infantry, square, but bent to encircle the body. The early shield or knightly escutcheon of the Middle Ages was circular in outline, and convex, with a bo in the centre; the body generally of wood, and the rim of metal. There were many other kinds of shields, made of leather, wood, basket-work, etc., employed up to the introduction of fire-arms, when they became practically usele , although some savage nations employ shields at the present time.