added by archaeologs
A shield, usually of circular form, carried in the Roman army by the lightarmed troops or light infantry (velites) and the cavalry (equites). The parma thracidica used by the class of gladiators called Thraces was not round, but in the form of a small scutum.
http://www.archaeologicalresource.com/Art/P/par_Art/par_Art.html