Fibulae and the Roman Army on the Danube in Moesia Superior

Abstract

During the Roman period, fibulae, beside their primary function of fastening clothes, also functioned as jewellery and status symbols and, hence, were richly and diversely decorated. For this reason, the fibula exposed on the right shoulder, fastening a military cape sagum, pallium or paludamentum, could denote the military unit, rank or a kind of a decoration in the Roman army. The military fibulae from the Danube Limes of Upper Moesia (later Limes of the provinces of Moesia Prima and Dacia Ripensis) also have traits related to this region, specifically: the military character of this border province is reflected in the number and variety of types of military fibulae, most of these types were produced locally, while some also originated from the Danube Limes of Moesia Superior. The local production, intended for the army, began as early as the 2nd century and continued until the end of Antiquity, that is, until the first quarter/middle of the 7th century. Consequently, half a millennium of production of military fibulae in the lower Danube basin left a rich archaeological heritage in the area of present-day Serbia.