In this incomplete design, an unarmored man in a long tunic raises a weapon—probably a stick or club—above his head while directing his attention downwards. This roundel could have represented the Old Testament king David: many images show David using a club to slay a lion, and David was also a model biblical king and a prototype for crusader rulers. Indeed, the crusader territories were known as the “Kingdom of David.” Like Samson, this tile design can be understood as a representation of great physical strength.
To learn more about the soldier tiles, see the video on the Parthian Shot page.