David Defeats Goliath in Paris

He stood 9 feet 9 inches tall and was encased in bronze armor from head to toe. Goliath of Gath, the Philistine’s champion warrior, was a frightful monstrosity of a man. His body armor of overlapping bronze scales weighed 5,000 shekels—approximately 126 pounds—far more than that of a Roman legionary’s kit (60 pounds). Goliath wielded an exceptionally thick and solid staff of a spear whose iron spearhead weighed a massive six hundred shekels—approximately 16.5 pounds. Rounding out his imposing combat gear, the giant wore a bronze helmet, bronze greaves, and carried a bronze javelin which he slung across his shoulders. He even had a shield-bearer to walk before him to ward off ranged attacks.