Portal:Military of ancient Rome/Selected article
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The Testudo formation, or the Tortoise formation, was a tactic used by the Roman Legions in ancient Roman warfare. In the testudo, the men would close up all gaps between each other and grab their shields at the sides. The first row of men would place their shields in front of them, from about their shins to the middle of their faces, so as to cover the formation's front. Everybody in the middle would place their shields over their head to protect from above, balancing the shields on their helmets and overlapping them. If necessary, the legionaries on the sides and rear of the formation could stand sideways or backwards with shields held as the front row's, so as to protect the formation's sides and rear. This tactic was very popular in siege warfare.
