There was a time when a shield was a common household object. In your little one-story, one-bedroom home, you had your water jug, your firewood, your flints, your pottery…and your spear and your shield. Those were violent times perhaps.

The Spartan mothers would tell their boys headed out to war, "Come back with your shield or on it." In other words, don't be that coward that throws down his shield in the face of danger and runs away. Make a stand, and either win or die trying.” Ok, mom!