Romans didn't use tower shields per se. The scutum was light enough to be effectively carried in one hand and allow for the other to wield a weapon with effectiveness. The main advantage it had was the size, easily covering a legionary and anyone behind or next to him if they locked shields in tetsudo formation. Even Scutum took advantage of the handle method for a shield, so it could be used to cover the head of soldiers behind the front ranks form arrows or spears.
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