Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Parma

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

PARMA (πάρμη). The shield used by the light-armed troops (velites, Liv. xxxi. 35.) and the cavalry (equites, Liv. ii. 20.) of the Roman army. It was circular in form (Varro, ap. Non. s. Veles, p. 552.), about three feet in diameter (Liv. xxxviii. 21. Polyb. vi. 22. 19.), and very strongly made upon a framework of iron. The annexed example (Parma/1.1) is copied from a bas-relief in terra-cotta; and corresponds in every particular of form and ornament with the shields of the equestrian gladiators at p. 264 s. EQUES, 10.

2. Parma Threcidica. The Thracian shield, or the shield used by gladiators of the class termed Thracians (Thraces). This was not round, like the Roman parma, but resembled the scutum in form, with the only exception of being smaller as well as shorter, as exhibited by the annexed example (Parma/2.1), which represents a Thracian gladiator from a terra-cotta lamp. Hence it is that Martial styles it pumilionis scutum (xiv. 213.). Plin. H. N. xxxiii. 45. Fabretti, Col. Tr. p. 267. and PELTASTAE.

3. The small round piece (Parma/3.1) of board placed under the vent hole of a pair of bellows, which opens to admit the air, as it is drawn in, but closes against the aperture immediately that the sides of the bellows are pressed together, and thus compels the wind to make an exit through the pipe at the nozzle. Auson. Mosell. 269.

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  Parma/1.1
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  Parma/2.1
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  Parma/3.1