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.
Keywords:
Roman fibulae / Roman army / Danube Limes / Moesia Superior / Moesia Prima / Dacia RipensisSource:
Vivere Militare Est : From Populus to Emperors - Living on the Frontier, 2018, 1, 65-131Publisher:
- Belgrade : Institute of Archaeology