Case file · Sighting
Shields in the sky over Arpi
Before the disaster at Lake Trasimene in 217 BC, Livy (22.1) reports that 'shields were seen in the sky' at Arpi in Apulia, and that the sun seemed to fight with the moon.
217 BCE · 41.56, 15.59 · status: legend
The account
The list also has burning stones falling at Praeneste and two moons rising by day at Capena. The 'flying shields' (parmae, clipei) of Roman prodigy lists are a favourite of ancient-astronaut authors.
The sceptical view
Bright round 'shields' fit meteors, parhelia or halo arcs; the timing, on the eve of a catastrophe, is typical of retrospective omen-making.