What it tells us about the past: This tall, semi-cylindrical shield, which is in the collection of the Yale University Art Gallery, is one of the few surviving examples of a Roman "scutum," the most ...

This week on Looking Up we are 'shielded' from ignorance about the constellation Scutum, thanks to Bruce Bookout. The night sky contains many odd objects besides the menagerie of strange creatures.

To find our first object, you won’t need any optical aid, but you will need to find the location of the small, faint constellation Scutum the Shield. Find the bright star Altair and its associated ...

What it is: A wooden and leather shield used by a Roman soldier in battle Where it is from: Dura-Europos, Syria When it was made: Second century A.D. Related: Babylonian tablet preserves student's ...

A wood and leather shield dating to around A.D. 250 is one of only a few complete Roman scuta ever found. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how ...