Argive

[Flyboy]

Quick question, why didn't the scuta, thuros or many other large shields at the time have the argive grip that made it much easier to hold and maneuver a shield. The scuta had a single handle that would make it hard to maneuver a twenty pound shield. Also, from what I've done, holding a scuta with a single handle for extended periods actually hurts my wrist, as keeping it strait requires a slight tilt.

The only reason I can think of is so the user can hold it from waist level and not have the top of the shield extend above their head. However that could be fixed if the argive was placed slightly higher, and it still doesn't account for the flexibility.

So why?

[SonOfAlexander]

Bcause they didn't think of it?

[Flyboy]

Rome had hoplites in the begining of their history. They had it once.

[Entropy Judge]

My guess (uneducated) would be because of the shape - the hoplon was round, so the argive grip didn't change the orientation of the shield if the arm moved. The scuta, or the thureos, however, are very distinctively shaped, and must be held upright to provide effective defense - turning them sideways makes them awkward and ineffective. But, like I said, uneducated guess.

[teh.frickin.pope]

With the single handle, you can extend your arm, moving the shield away from the body, allowing you to strike an enemy with it from farther away, as well as providing more maneuver room for you to strike to your shield side whilst still remaining protected. As for the weight issue, professional soldiers trained a lot to be able to use their weapons and armor for hours on end.