Lightboxes
Cart
alb3819666

Testudo, Ancient Roman Warfare

In Ancient Roman warfare, the testudo or tortoise formation was a formation used commonly by the Roman Legions during battles, particularly sieges. Testudo is the Latin word for "tortoise". The shields would be held in such a way that they presented a shield wall to all sides. The men in the back ranks would place their shields over their heads to protect the formation from above, balancing the shields on their helmets, overlapping them. If necessary, the legionaries on the sides and rear of the formation could stand sideways or backwards with shields held as the front rows, so as to protect the formation's sides and rear.
Share
pinterestPinterest
twitterTwitter
facebookFacebook
emailEmail

Add to another lightbox

Add to another lightbox
add to lightbox print share
Do you already have an account? Sign in
You do not have an account? Register
Buy this image
Title:
Testudo, Ancient Roman Warfare
Caption:
In Ancient Roman warfare, the testudo or tortoise formation was a formation used commonly by the Roman Legions during battles, particularly sieges. Testudo is the Latin word for "tortoise". The shields would be held in such a way that they presented a shield wall to all sides. The men in the back ranks would place their shields over their heads to protect the formation from above, balancing the shields on their helmets, overlapping them. If necessary, the legionaries on the sides and rear of the formation could stand sideways or backwards with shields held as the front rows, so as to protect the formation's sides and rear.
Personalities:
ROMAN IMPERIAL PERIOD
Credit:
Album / Science Source / New York Public Library
Releases:
Model: No - Property: No
Rights questions?
Image size:
3375 x 2679 px | 25.9 MB
Print size:
28.6 x 22.7 cm | 11.2 x 8.9 in (300 dpi)
Keywords:
ANCIENT CIVILIZATION • ANCIENT CULTURE • ANCIENT • ANTIQUITY • ARMIES ARMY • ARMIES • ARMY • BATTLE FORMATION • BW • CASTLE • FORTIFICATION • HISTORIC • HISTORICAL • HISTORY • HUNDRED YEARS WAR • INFANTRY • LEGION • MACHINERY OF WAR • MILITARY • ROMAN ARMY • ROMAN CITIZENS • ROMAN EMPIRE • ROMAN IMPERIAL PERIOD • ROMAN REPUBLIC • ROMAN • SHIELD WALL • SIEGES • SOLDIERS • STORMING THE CASTLE • TESTUDO FORMATION • TESTUDO • TORTOISE (ROMAN) • TORTOISE FORMATION • WAR • WEAPON • WEAPONARY