Editing Shield (section)

==History==
===Ancient===
[[File:Greek soldiers of Greco–Persian Wars.png|left|thumb|Greek soldiers of [[Greco-Persian Wars]]. Left: Greek [[Sling (weapon)|slinger]]. Right: [[hoplite]]s. Middle: hoplite's shield has a curtain which serves as a protection from arrows.]]
Size and weight varied greatly. [[Light infantry|Lightly armored warriors]] relying on speed and surprise would generally carry light shields (''pelte'') that were either small or thin. [[Heavy infantry|Heavy troops]] might be equipped with robust shields that could cover most of the body. Many had a strap called a [[guige]] that allowed them to be slung over the user's back when not in use or on horseback. During the 14th–13th century&nbsp;BC, the [[Sherden|Sards or Shardana]], working as [[mercenaries]] for the Egyptian pharaoh [[Ramses II]], utilized either large or small round shields against the [[Hittites]]. The [[Mycenaean Greece|Mycenaean Greeks]] used two types of shields: the "figure-of-eight" shield and a rectangular "tower" shield. These shields were made primarily from a wicker frame and then reinforced with leather. Covering the body from head to foot, the figure-of-eight and tower shield offered most of the warrior's body a good deal of protection in hand-to-hand combat. The Ancient Greek [[hoplites]] used a round, bowl-shaped wooden shield that was reinforced with bronze and called an ''[[aspis]]''. The aspis was used by the Spartans to create the Greek [[phalanx]] formation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ancientmilitary.com/spartan-weapons.htm |title=Spartan Weapons |publisher=Ancientmilitary.com |access-date=9 April 2014 |archive-date=17 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817173952/http://www.ancientmilitary.com/spartan-weapons.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Their shields offered protection not only for themselves but for their comrades to their left.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ancientmilitary.com/spartan-military.htm |title=Spartan Military |publisher=Ancientmilitary.com |access-date=9 April 2014 |archive-date=1 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701232906/http://www.ancientmilitary.com/spartan-military.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:Archäologisches Landesmuseum Schloss Gottorf 034.JPG|thumb|Two wooden round shields survived at [[Thorsberg moor]] (3rd century AD)]]
Examples of Germanic wooden shields circa 350&nbsp;BC&nbsp;– 500&nbsp;AD survive from [[weapons sacrifice]]s in Danish bogs.

The heavily armored [[Roman legionaries]] carried large shields ([[scutum (shield)|''scuta'']]).<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Campbell |first1=Brian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K6NpAgAAQBAJ&dq=roman+scutum+shield&pg=PA419 |title=The Oxford Handbook of Warfare in the Classical World |last2=Tritle |first2=Lawrence A. |date=2012-12-10 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-971955-6 |pages=421 |language=en}}</ref> The ''scutum'' had an oval shape during the early republican era, but gradually developed into the familiar rectangular shape most commonly seen in the early Imperial legions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Anderson |first=Lisa M. |date=2005 |title=A handbook on Roman military equipment - MICHEL FEUGÈRE, WEAPONS OF THE ROMANS (translated from the French edition [Errance 1993] by David G. Smith) (Tempus Publishing, Stroud 2002). Pp. 224, figs. 278, 1 table. ISBN 0 7524 2506 4. £19.99. |url=https://doi.org/10.1017/s1047759400007959 |journal=Journal of Roman Archaeology |volume=18 |pages=701–703 |doi=10.1017/s1047759400007959 |issn=1047-7594|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The Romans used their shields to create a tortoise-like formation called a [[testudo formation|''testudo'']] in which large groups of soldiers would be enclosed in an armoured box to provide protection against missiles and to allow for approaches under heavy fire.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rance |first=Philip |title=The Fulcum, the Late Roman and Byzantine Testudo: the Germanization of Roman Infantry Tactics? |url=http://www.duke.edu/web/classics/grbs/FTexts/44/Rance2.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20121013035512/http://www.duke.edu/web/classics/grbs/FTexts/44/Rance2.pdf |archive-date=2012-10-13 |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=www.duke.edu |page=301}}</ref>

=== Post-classical ===
[[File:Angkor_Wat.-_Battle_of_Devas_and_Asuras_(4).jpg|right|thumb|Soldiers of the [[Khmer Empire]] use round shields. Located at the [[Bayon]] temple(12th/13th century).]]
[[File:Sinjska alka - shield bearer and two squires.jpg|thumb|Shield bearer in the Croatian 18th century [[Tournament (medieval)|tournament]] [[Sinjska alka]]]]
Typical in the early European [[Middle Ages]] were [[Viking Age arms and armour#Round shields|round shields]] with light, non-splitting wood like [[Little-leaf Linden|linden]], [[fir]], [[alder]], or [[Populus|poplar]], usually reinforced with [[leather]] cover on one or both sides and occasionally metal rims, encircling a metal [[shield boss]]. These light shields suited a fighting style where each incoming blow is intercepted with the boss in order to deflect it. The bosses could also be used as a secondary weapon by punching with the shield.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dickinson |first=Tanya |last2=Harke |first2=Heinrich |date=1999 |title=Early Anglo-Saxon Shields |url=https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/36748448/Early_Anglo-Saxon_Shields_1992-libre.pdf?1424759909=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DEarly_Anglo_Saxon_shields_Archaeologia_M.pdf&Expires=1743046579&Signature=gOozrAIIY-zjPrTMDkRfPLNJK-GxT5G11V2Y3lTVVPaV3Ha6wXft0RZM7FoZJ15XJFjf7BNY-ob2VBvrxZvWZpzd8xYkBWB4-RljAAG6FkhnnAWZlSFMLKKi3upca7kwP5hLoewI594X1UMky2WegoVfeosvMEHeOHkgi3AcL42ipU~vfjehDxsJXEz-DBCIIkT3LjRobpF5xi1dIj2qofE3jdkG~Lm~bN9~x2TanuwiIrHocYO6tcau8cTdVUg5710Z3TGW0~-60zFboPrnB~ap~fSPEdE2s90925En1Dvy0Cp9jQ5cLNKh94E3Hur1ixLfbRf~g-D1e9DeLv-P7w__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA |journal=The Antiquaries Journal |volume=110 |pages=61 |isbn=0-85431-260-9 |issn=0261-3409}}</ref> These shields were often used in formation forming a [[Shield wall|wall of shields]]. The Normans later introduced the [[kite shield]] around the 10th century, which was rounded at the top and tapered at the bottom. This gave some protection to the user's legs, and was especially suited for horsemen, whose legs would otherwise be vulnerable.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Oakeshott |first=R. Ewart |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HLwnRGEaHfgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=kite&f=false |title=The Archaeology of Weapons: Arms and Armor from Prehistory to the Age of Chivalry |date=1996-01-01 |publisher=Courier Corporation |isbn=978-0-486-29288-5 |language=en}}</ref> The kite shield predominantly features [[enarmes]], leather straps used to grip the shield tight to the arm. Used by foot and mounted troops alike, it gradually came to replace the round shield as the common choice until the end of the 12th century, when more efficient limb armour allowed the shields to grow shorter, and be entirely replaced by the 14th century.

As body armour improved, [[knight]]'s shields became smaller, leading to the familiar [[heater shield]] style. Both kite and heater style shields were made of several layers of laminated wood,<ref>{{Cite book|last=SYED RAMSEY.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/971924562|title=Tools of war;history of weapons in ancient times.|date=12 May 2016 |publisher=ALPHA EDITIONS|isbn=978-93-86019-80-6|location=[Place of publication not identified]|oclc=971924562}}</ref> with a gentle curve in cross section. The heater style inspired the shape of the symbolic [[heraldic shield]] that is still used today. Eventually, specialised shapes were developed such as the ''bouche'', which had a [[lance]] rest cut into the upper corner of the lance side, to help guide it in combat or tournament. Free standing shields called [[pavise]]s, which were propped up on stands, were used by medieval [[crossbow]]men who needed protection while reloading.

In time, some armoured foot knights gave up shields entirely in favour of mobility and two-handed weapons. Other knights and common soldiers adopted the [[buckler]], giving rise to the term "[[swashbuckler]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hadesign.co.uk/SSA/html/buckler.htm |archive-date=2013-10-07 |title=The Sussex Rapier School |publisher=Hadesign.co.uk |access-date=2008-12-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007034310/http://www.hadesign.co.uk/SSA/html/buckler.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The buckler is a small round shield, typically between 8 and 16&nbsp;inches (20–40&nbsp;cm) in diameter. The buckler was one of very few types of shield that were usually made of metal. Small and light, the buckler was easily carried by being hung from a belt; it gave little protection from missiles and was reserved for hand-to-hand combat where it served both for protection and offence. The buckler's use began in the Middle Ages and continued well into the 16th century.

In Italy, the [[Targe|targa]], [[Parma (shield)|parma]], and [[Rodeleros|rotella]] were used by common people, fencers and even knights. The development of [[plate armour]] made shields less and less common as it eliminated the need for a shield. Lightly armoured troops continued to use shields after [[men-at-arms]] and knights ceased to use them. Shields continued in use even after [[gunpowder]] powered weapons made them essentially obsolete on the battlefield. In the 18th century, the [[Scottish clans]] used a small, round targe that was partially effective against the firearms of the time, although it was arguably more often used against British infantry bayonets and cavalry swords in close-in fighting.

During the 19th century, non-industrial cultures with little access to guns were still using war shields. [[Zulu Kingdom|Zulu]] warriors carried large lightweight shields called [[Nguni shield|Ishlangu]] made from a single ox hide supported by a wooden spine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rrtraders.com/Shields/zuluw.htm |title=Zulu Shield (Longo) |publisher=Rrtraders.com |access-date=26 December 2008 |archive-date=24 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924223948/http://rrtraders.com/Shields/zuluw.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> This was used in combination with a short spear ([[assegai#Iklwa|iklwa]]) and/or [[club (weapon)|club]]. Other African shields include [[Glagwa]] from [[Cameroon]] or [[Nguba]] from [[Republic of the Congo|Congo]].

=== Modern ===

==== Law enforcement shields ====
[[File:Police Officer with balistic shield.JPG|thumb|Ballistic shield, [[National Institute of Justice|NIJ]] Level IIIA]]
[[File:U.S. Navy special warfare combatant-craft crewmen (SWCC), Special Boat Team 22 conducts training 16 AUG 09.jpg|thumb|[[U.S. Navy]] [[Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen]] (SWCC) fire a [[gun shield]]-equipped Minigun]]

Shields for protection from armed attack are still used by many [[police]] forces around the world. These modern shields are usually intended for two broadly distinct purposes. The first type, [[riot shield]]s, are used for [[riot control]] and can be made from [[metal]] or polymers such as polycarbonate [[Lexan]] or [[Makrolon]] or boPET [[Mylar]]. These typically offer protection from relatively large and low velocity projectiles, such as rocks and bottles, as well as blows from fists or clubs. Synthetic riot shields are normally transparent, allowing full use of the shield without obstructing vision. Similarly, metal riot shields often have a small window at eye level for this purpose. These riot shields are most commonly used to block and push back crowds when the users stand in a "wall" to block protesters, and to protect against [[Fragmentation (weaponry)|shrapnel]], projectiles like stones and [[brick]]s, [[molotov cocktails]], and during [[hand-to-hand combat]].

The second type of modern police shield is the bullet-resistant [[ballistic shield]], also called tactical shield. These shields are typically manufactured from advanced synthetics such as [[Kevlar]] and are designed to be [[bulletproof]], or at least [[bullet resistant]]. Two types of shields are available:

# Light level IIIA shields are designed to stop pistol cartridges.
# Heavy level III and IV shields are designed to stop rifle cartridges. 

Tactical shields often have a [[firing port]] so that the officer holding the shield can fire a weapon while being protected by the shield, and they often have a bulletproof glass viewing port. They are typically employed by specialist police, such as [[SWAT]] teams in high risk entry and siege scenarios, such as hostage rescue and breaching gang compounds, as well as in antiterrorism operations.

Law enforcement shields often have a large signs stating "POLICE" (or the name of a force, such as "US MARSHALS") to indicate that the user is a law enforcement officer.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lepore |first=Jill |date=2020-07-13 |title=The Invention of the Police |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/07/20/the-invention-of-the-police |access-date=2024-07-02 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}