Parma

Around the end of the Imperial Roman period in the third century, the famous shield used by the Ancient Roman Army is Parma. Parma was also known as Parmula. To fend off an enemy onslaught, it was framed with iron.

Roman Gladiators, particularly the Thraex Gladiators, and auxiliary infantry and cavalry during battles were the principal users of the shield. The Signifiers, also known as the Legion's standard bearers, would normally carry the circular Roman Parma shield into combat. Skirmishing soldiers in an army, most notably the Velites of the Republican Era Legions, might also use smaller, rounder shields.

The Parma shield, in contrast to other Roman shields, was renowned for uses other than battle and campaigning. It was carried by the Roman flag bearer and utilized in the Pyrrhic dance, a well-known Greek dance genre. This Parma Shield is made of heavy poplar wood, bound with closely fitting linen, and hand-painted. The shield has a sturdy hardwood bar grip and riveted brass border around the edges. The Parma is complete with a brass shield boss.