A genus of tortoises which formerly included a large number of diverse forms, but is now restricted to certain terrestrial species, such as the European land tortoise (Testudo Græca) and the gopher of the Southern United States.
A cover or screen which a body of troops formed with their shields or targets, by holding them over their heads when standing close to each other. This cover resembled the back of a tortoise, and served to shelter the men from darts, stones, and other missiles. A similar defense was sometimes formed of boards, and moved on wheels.
A kind of musical instrument. a species of lyre; -- so called in allusion to the lyre of Mercury, fabled to have been made of the shell of a tortoise.
'Tortoise' The method used by soldiers to approach an enemy's fortified position. 27 troops would surround themselves on all sides and above with their shields and then advance under cover towards the enemy
a movable protective covering that provided protection from above; used by Roman troops when approaching the walls of a besieged fortification
type genus of the Testudinidae
Turtle. A three-dimensional box of shields formed by a unit of infantry during siege operations. Also used to refer to sheds protecting battering rams.
the military formation made by soldiers when holding their shields to protect all sides and above their heads
Testudo is a genus of tortoises found in North Africa, Asia, and Europe. All species are under threat in the wild, mainly from habitat destruction.
