These latter had generally a boss in the centre, and both this and the edge of the shield were often ornamented with a row of rosettes or rings.

Shields of this shape were from four to five feet in height, and protected the warrior from the head to the knee.

On a march they were often worn upon the back, like the convex shield of the Egyptians, which they greatly resembled.
[Illustration: PLATE 103] The more ordinary convex shield was of an oval form, like the convex shield of the Greeks, but larger, and with a more prominent centre.
[PLATE CIII., Fig.

1.] In its greater diameter it must often have exceeded five feet, though no doubt sometimes it was smaller.

It was generally ornamented with narrow bands round the edge and round the boss at the centre, the space between the bands being frequently patterned with ring; or otherwise.