Early Achaemenid armies were characterised by a number of interesting and unique shields. A large wicker shield called the gerrha or the Persian word 'spara'. A violin shaped shield protrayed on the reliefs at Persepolis and a 'pelta' which shows a Greek influence.
The 'Spara' is beleived they were used by the armies of
Cyrus the great, up til the time of Cyrus the younger at the battle of Cunaxa in 401 BC. They were carried only by the front rank infantry to form a barrier or shield wall. The man who held it was referred to as the sparabara or shield bearer. It was of light construction and approximately shoulder height. Greek art show it could be used as a self-standing shield, held up with a prop attached the the back. Surviving examples of Sassanian Persian shields from AD 255 are made of reed and leather and are considered to be similar the the earlier Achaemenid Spara. Although it is expected they they were dyed a uniform colour, the Sassanian shields found show no sign of dye or colour.
The 'Spara' Shield
The spara seems to be supplied to the bulk of the Persian army included the Persian themselves and their bow armed mercenary and levy troops. 
The Violin Shield
Its shape may be ornamental or functional, it has been suggested that the cut outs enabled it to be used with a two handed grip on the spear.
The shield is generally referred to as the Dipylon shield. The name coming from the Dipylon cemetry in Athens where large numbers of representations were found. (Geometric period, 9th and 8th century BC).
Earlier, Hittites on the Egyptian reliefs of the battle of Kadesh, are also depicted carrying a violin-shaped shield. Casting moulds for the rims of violin-shaped shields have been found in Ramses' capital in the Nile delta.
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