53cm Round Shield Rotella of Spanish and Italian light infantry, late 15th - mid 17th century. - Outlet

The Rodeleros, Spanish and Italian light infantry armed with sword and rodela (a type of shield), were prominent from the late 15th century to the mid-17th century.

More precisely:

• Their heyday was in the 16th century, especially during the Italian Wars (1494-1559), where they proved very effective against heavy cavalry.
• At the beginning of the 17th century, their importance began to decline with the advent of new military tactics and technologies, such as muskets and artillery.
• By the mid-17th century, rodeleros had virtually disappeared from the battlefields.

Their decline was caused by several factors:

• Vulnerability to firearms: Rodeleros were lightly armoured and therefore vulnerable to musket fire.
• Emergence of new tactics: Linear tactics with the massive use of muskets and artillery reduced the effectiveness of rodeleros' attacks.
• Training and costs: Training rodeleros was demanding and expensive, making them less accessible to armies.

Although the rodeleros were a significant force on the battlefields for a relatively short time, they left a significant mark on military history. Their tactics and equipment influenced the development of infantry, and their legacy is still studied by military historians.