Pliny’s luminous shields in the sky

Record summary

In Natural History, Pliny the Elder discusses atmospheric and celestial phenomena and includes reports of luminous shield-like forms, commonly translated as “burning shields.” Modern UFO writers sometimes present these as ancient discs. The passage is important for comparison because it shows how Roman encyclopedic writing collected marvels alongside natural explanations and inherited reports. Its precise referents are uncertain, and translation choices affect the imagery. The text should be examined within Pliny’s treatment of comets, meteors, atmospheric lights and marvel literature rather than as a straightforward encounter report.