From the time of the Bronze Age, warriors of all tribes and nations sought to emblazon their arms and armour with items and images to impress upon the enemy the wealth and power of the wearer. Magnificently decorated shields were as much a defensive necessity as a symbol of social status. Equally, decorative symbols on shields and armour defined the collective ideals and the self-conceived importance of the village or city-state its warriors represented.

Such items were therefore of great significance to the wearers, and the authors of this detailed and extensively researched book, have brought together years of research and the latest archaeological discoveries, to produce a work of undeniable importance.

Decorated Roman Armour is richly illustrated throughout, and as well as battlefield armour, details the tournament and parade armour from Rome's earliest days.