SHIELDS OVERVIEW
Assyrian shields were either wickered being made of plaited twigs or osiers covered with oiled skins or leather and wired and bossed with bronze or of the bronze-embossed circular wooden type.

Assurnasirpal II's (883-859 B.C.) spearmen carried rectangular shields of medium size. In Shalmanser's III (859-824 B.C.) day shields were small and round. Similar shaped shields were carried by the spearman of Tiglath-pileser III (745-727B.C.), Sargon II (722-705 B.C.), Sennacherib (705-681B.C.) and Essarhaddon (681-669 B.C.) By the reigns of the latter two rulers, shields became increasingly larger and more conical although remaining circular in shape.

In Ashurbanipal's day (669-626 B.C.) royal guardsmen were issued with hugh circular shields providing virtually whole body cover. Regular infantry forces continued to carry the round shield employed in Sennacherib and Essarhaddon's time as well as a large curved rectangular shield with a rounded top. The latter reflecting a concern to avoid unncessary losses.