Uno scudo così grande e forte: considerazioni su una lamina dal santuario del dio Altino-
abstract
We propose a new reading of a bronze sheet depicting two warriors marching to the left, armed with helm, spears and large oval shield. The sheet belongs to the offerings found in the sanctuary of Altino (Venice) – loc. Fornace, devoted to the god Altino –. From the 6th century BC to the Roman age, it was a meeting point between Venetics, Greeks and Etruscans who landed here from the Adriatic sea routes, and Celts from the important communication routes with the Venetic and transalpine hinterland. Among the numerous sheets depicting warriors with helm, spears and round hoplitic shield, this sheet differs in the rarity of the oval shield belonging to a clear Celtic type, datable to the fifth century BC. The sheet is thus one of the oldest attestations of the Celtic armament in Veneto.
Keywords: Votive Bronzesheet • Preroman Worship • Celtic Warriors • Altino • Shield