I remember watching a show called deadliest warrior. They had a Spartan on it. Their shield would fuck everyone up.

Unless you're using a two handed weapon having a defensive weapon on your non dominant hand was extremely powerful

If I remember right the shield was a better weapon than their sword.

Sure going against a weapon designed to beat a shield is a different scenario

Two Spartans, one with a shield other with a sword. I'd put my money on the Spartan with the shield.

The swordman has to get a clean strike or they are just going to get bashed to death