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DACIAN SHIELDS
Our knowledge of what equipment the Dacians and their allies used comes primarily from the sculpture on Trajan’s Column in Rome. The true accuracy of these sculptures are open to question. It is assumed that Dacian warrior was armed similarly to the celt. He carried a flat wooden shield 4 to 5 feet tall. It was usually oval in shape, based on the celtic design. It was covered in leather (to protect the wood from warping). Riveted to the center of the shield face there appeared an iron or bronze umbo. This protected the shield hand. This metal boss could also be used offensively when punched. The Dacain shield graphics appearing on Trajan’s Column to have a vine and floral theme.
DACIAN HELMETS
Dacian helmet designed was influenced heavily from the East. The more wealthy soldiers often wore Phrygian style helmets. These were characterized by a foreward facing knobby projection at the top. Their allies, the Sarmatians, were fond of dome-shaped helmets formed from several strips of metal welded together. Presumably, this helmet could also have been worn by the Dacians. The helmets below are depicted on the the base of Trajan's Column.
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