Inscribed Fibulae of Roman Soldiers in a Sienese Private Collection (Italy)*

Abstract

Among the numerous metal objects purchased by a private collector from Siena (Italy) at the international antiques market many likely come from Roman military camps (armor, swords, rings, belts etc.). In this paper we will present some fibulae with short Latin inscriptions, perhaps belonged to soldiers or army officers. The texts are very concise and sometimes of difficult interpretation. These fibulae belong to these three types: Crossbow fibulae, Monogram fibulae and Openwork letters fibulae.

Keywords

• military fibulae
• inscribed fibulae
• crossbow fibulae
• monogram fibulae
• typology
• military equipment
• collection studies
• Roman period
• Middle Imperial Age
• Late Roman

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