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Roman Military Equipment

@equipmentroman.bsky.social

Sort-of-official BlueSky account for Roman Military Equipment (no longer just from the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome) by M C Bishop & J C N Coulston Website: https://romanmilitaryequipment.co.uk

1,581 Followers  |  128 Following  |  629 Posts  |  Joined: 09.11.2023
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Posts by Roman Military Equipment (@equipmentroman.bsky.social)

Interesting, but the claim that it was a 'parade' shield boss is open to question.

04.03.2026 23:13 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

The 2000 South Cadbury excavation report (with Roman military equipment report by MCB) is available via our Downloads page. romanmilitaryequipment.co.uk/downloads#Re...

04.03.2026 13:33 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

So difficult NOT to think of House-hiunting Goths (or were they Industrialists?) ... youtu.be/4KznmiLqltA?...

02.03.2026 14:22 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
A well-preserved Roman leather shoe with elaborate cutout patterns. The design features a high ankle and open section

A well-preserved Roman leather shoe with elaborate cutout patterns. The design features a high ankle and open section

An adorable #Roman shoe, made for a #baby too young to walk. The shoe imitates the footwear of Roman soldiers (caligae). The cut-out design would have shown off the kid’s socks!

From Bordeaux, dating 1st/2nd AD.

πŸ“· Bordeaux, MusΓ©e d’Aquitaine

🏺 #archaeology

02.03.2026 13:52 β€” πŸ‘ 414    πŸ” 107    πŸ’¬ 6    πŸ“Œ 8
Cefn On (Glamorgan) lead coffin ?lid depicting a Roman cavalryman riding right to left with a hexagonal shield. Image: Anon

Cefn On (Glamorgan) lead coffin ?lid depicting a Roman cavalryman riding right to left with a hexagonal shield. Image: Anon

Something unusual for #StDavidsDay? A lead coffin ?lid found at Cefn On(n) farm near Caerphilly in 1952 with a depiction of a mounted, plumed #RomanCavalry rider (unusually from his left, shielded side) clutching what was thought to be a vexillum (unhelpfully, partially obliterated by plough marks).

01.03.2026 16:21 β€” πŸ‘ 17    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A display of the grave goods, featuring a he chainmail shirt, a helmet on a stand, a long sword, small gold ornaments, and various metal, glass, and ceramic objects, all arranged against a dark background.

A display of the grave goods, featuring a he chainmail shirt, a helmet on a stand, a long sword, small gold ornaments, and various metal, glass, and ceramic objects, all arranged against a dark background.

The early medieval burial from Gammertingen, 6th century AD.
The high-ranking warrior died in his early 30s and was buried with a Byzantine helmet (a so-called Spangenhelm), his weapons, and his mail armour, which consisted of about 45,000 iron rings!

πŸ“·Landesmuseum WΓΌrttemberg

🏺

01.03.2026 08:10 β€” πŸ‘ 415    πŸ” 96    πŸ’¬ 12    πŸ“Œ 2
Preview
Belt set, military belt set

Ah, #FindsFriday again. Inspired by editing the London militaria catalogue, Let's have some rather splendid chip-carvery found in a late 4th/early 5th-century context in Mansell Street, with this set of belt plates, buckle plate, and strap terminal. www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/...

27.02.2026 17:22 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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See a Restored Ancient Roman Helmetβ€”and Two Shiny New Replicas The 2,000-year-old Hallaton Helmet is now on permanent display at the Harborough Museum in England

"The helmet is on display at the Harborough Museum, encased with five loose cheekpieces found in the same field in the early 2000s."
β€” @smithsonianmag.bsky.social #AncientBluesky #Romans www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/s...

26.02.2026 17:16 β€” πŸ‘ 26    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

They did indeed. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangoli...

21.02.2026 22:45 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

But not in that fake jiggerypokery (Robinson thought it was dodgy back in 1975). More likely in something like this.

21.02.2026 15:31 β€” πŸ‘ 94    πŸ” 12    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image Copper-alloy lorica segmentata hinged buckle from Nijmegen. The end of the fixed section of the body has been bent over, possibly during removal from its armour plate. Image: Museum het Valkhof (PD)

Copper-alloy lorica segmentata hinged buckle from Nijmegen. The end of the fixed section of the body has been bent over, possibly during removal from its armour plate. Image: Museum het Valkhof (PD)

Here is one of these buckle plates still attached to its (mineralised) leather strap (left), from one of the first complete Kalkriese plates found. The buckle plate was attached to a leather strap riveted to the armour; this system was replaced by the more familiar hinged buckles (right).

20.02.2026 20:46 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Top view of a Kalkriese-type breast- or backplate fastening buckle with two corroded domed rivets, found in the oppidum at Stanwick in N Yorks (GBR). Image: Β© The Trustees of the British Museum (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Top view of a Kalkriese-type breast- or backplate fastening buckle with two corroded domed rivets, found in the oppidum at Stanwick in N Yorks (GBR). Image: Β© The Trustees of the British Museum (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Underside view of a Kalkriese-type breast- or backplate fastening buckle with two surviving rivets (and one rectangular rove in situ), found in the oppidum at Stanwick in N Yorks (GBR). Image: Β© The Trustees of the British Museum (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Underside view of a Kalkriese-type breast- or backplate fastening buckle with two surviving rivets (and one rectangular rove in situ), found in the oppidum at Stanwick in N Yorks (GBR). Image: Β© The Trustees of the British Museum (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Something a little special for #FindsFriday. How long did Kalkriese-type lorica segmentata remain in use? Apparently, long enough to make it up to Stanwick in North Yorkshire. This is one of two strap-mounted fastening buckles from a breast- or backplate, found in the 1845 Stanwick Hoard.

20.02.2026 20:46 β€” πŸ‘ 17    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Glauberg Celtic Prince: A 5th Century BCE Most Extraordinary Iron Age Royal Discovery - Arkeonews Discover the Glauberg Celtic Prince, a remarkable 5th century BCE Iron Age burial in Germany. Explore the famous mistletoe crown statue

The article strangely overlooks the stylised cuirass he is so obviously wearing. arkeonews.net/the-glauberg...

19.02.2026 20:28 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

We have become aware of a fraudulent website - ospreypress (dot) com - that is misrepresenting itself as Osprey Publishing. This site is not affiliated with us in any way.

19.02.2026 15:54 β€” πŸ‘ 31    πŸ” 23    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
Block of rusted mail clumped together.

Block of rusted mail clumped together.

Large clump of mail from the settlement (vicus) near the legionary fortress of Bonn πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ #RomanFortThursday
Its discovery outside the fortress indicates there was a close relationship between Roman military installations and civilian settlements.

πŸ†“ doi.org/10.15184/aqy...

🏺 #Archaeology

19.02.2026 13:25 β€” πŸ‘ 52    πŸ” 11    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

This looks ... familiar ...!

19.02.2026 20:25 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Photo (left) of an Iron dagger and sheath with illustrations (right) of decoration

Photo (left) of an Iron dagger and sheath with illustrations (right) of decoration

A Roman legionary dagger and decorated sheath

Found during Ian Richmond’s 1951-8 excavations at Hod Hill camp #Dorset

Presumably lost when the fort was abandoned in the AD 50s as the legions moved west

Β© Trustees of the British Museum 1960,0405.3444

#RomanFortThursday and early #FindsFriday

19.02.2026 10:56 β€” πŸ‘ 147    πŸ” 35    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1
Decorative Tinning on Roman Armour – Revealing Ancient Craftsmanship
YouTube video by ArcheologickΓ½ ΓΊstav AV ČR, Brno Decorative Tinning on Roman Armour – Revealing Ancient Craftsmanship

Some practical experiments with decorative tinning on Roman armour youtu.be/fmoKacmzvU4?...

18.02.2026 16:49 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Close-up photo of over various arrowheads and spearheads arranged in a dense cluster on a black background, showcasing their varied shapes.

Close-up photo of over various arrowheads and spearheads arranged in a dense cluster on a black background, showcasing their varied shapes.

During various excavations at the Roman fort in Osterburken, more than 120 arrowheads and spearheads were discovered. Some are of Roman origin, most are of Germanic type. The fort was attacked around the middle of the 3rd c.AD. These finds highlight the intense threat to Roman territory...🧡1/2

17.02.2026 11:14 β€” πŸ‘ 249    πŸ” 45    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 2
Tombstone of M. Aurelius Avitianus found at Brigetio showing a bare-headed soldier holds an oval shield and two spears in his left hand, a scroll in his right hand, and has a helmet resting on the ground by his right foot. A broad waist belt and cloak are visible. Image: Bence Simon (PD)

Tombstone of M. Aurelius Avitianus found at Brigetio showing a bare-headed soldier holds an oval shield and two spears in his left hand, a scroll in his right hand, and has a helmet resting on the ground by his right foot. A broad waist belt and cloak are visible. Image: Bence Simon (PD)

Tombstone depicting the soldier Ares, including a curved rectangular shield, crested helmet, and sword depicted at his feet. Image: MCB

Tombstone depicting the soldier Ares, including a curved rectangular shield, crested helmet, and sword depicted at his feet. Image: MCB

Relief panel, possibly funerary in origin, depicting three legionaries from Croy Hill on the Antonine Wall. Each has a pilum in the right hand, whilst the two on the left have curved rectangular shields resting on the ground with helmets slung over the front, and the man on the right is holding his shield in his left hand and has his helmet slung around his neck. No swords are visible so may have been worn on the left hip. Image: MCB

Relief panel, possibly funerary in origin, depicting three legionaries from Croy Hill on the Antonine Wall. Each has a pilum in the right hand, whilst the two on the left have curved rectangular shields resting on the ground with helmets slung over the front, and the man on the right is holding his shield in his left hand and has his helmet slung around his neck. No swords are visible so may have been worn on the left hip. Image: MCB

For #TombstoneTuesday, let's take our helmets off so viewers can get a good view of a finely shaped head. Say hello to Avitianus (left) and Ares (right) who have put theirs down. The Croy Hill lads have never even put them on and just slung them somewhere convenient (on shield or around neck).

17.02.2026 08:25 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Belt buckle and belt plate (with punctim decoration) from near the Trajanic fort at Nether Denton, near Hadrian's Wall. Image: Β© The Trustees of the British Museum (CC BY-NC- SA 4.0)

Belt buckle and belt plate (with punctim decoration) from near the Trajanic fort at Nether Denton, near Hadrian's Wall. Image: Β© The Trustees of the British Museum (CC BY-NC- SA 4.0)

This is rather delightful. Found at Nether Denton Trajanic fort, just south of #hadrianswall, this belt plate and buckle was old when it was deposited, since it is a Tiberio-Claudian type and matched by examples from the south of England.

16.02.2026 20:59 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

And, on a bangs-per-buck/kWh basis, can AI ever match briefing a knowledgeable, fee-paid, coffee-and-snacks-fuelled human artist? So much AI slop draws on outdated web sources that produce a result that looks like something 100 years behind current knowledge.

14.02.2026 04:58 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Some nice Roman military equipment here, the full publication of which can be found in this article: cercetari-arheologice.ro/articol/ca32...

13.02.2026 04:09 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
13.02.2026 03:59 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

This is, as you well know, an account related to a book (and its website). Here's a plug for another one (by MCB) that is related to an existing (and a forthcoming!) book on a Roman military topic. You're welcome. @castralegionis.bsky.social

10.02.2026 20:30 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Bluesky map showing @equipmentroman's peripherality.

Bluesky map showing @equipmentroman's peripherality.

'Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun.' Douglas Adams

10.02.2026 02:06 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Gallery plugin is a bit flaky, I'm afraid. Just checked and 2D artefacts fails on Android too (but other galleries work fine; go figure!). Sometimes the full web galleries will bomb too. I am actively looking for an alternative.

06.02.2026 21:09 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Screenshot of Roman Military Equipment web page containing 2D images of artefacts.

Screenshot of Roman Military Equipment web page containing 2D images of artefacts.

For this #FindsFriday, instead of posting just one artefact, why not take a look at our Galleries of 2D Images of Artefacts? Always being added to, so ever-growing. romanmilitaryequipment.co.uk/2d-images-of...

06.02.2026 16:57 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
A close-up of three objects on a black background: a plain iron dagger blade without a handle, next to two richly decorated metal dagger sheaths, both elaborately decorated with inlays made of silver, brass, enamel (geometric and circular patterns). 
There is also a small heavily rusted fragment in the lower left visible.

A close-up of three objects on a black background: a plain iron dagger blade without a handle, next to two richly decorated metal dagger sheaths, both elaborately decorated with inlays made of silver, brass, enamel (geometric and circular patterns). There is also a small heavily rusted fragment in the lower left visible.

#RomanFortThursday: a #Roman dagger and and two dagger sheaths, both elaborately decorated with inlays (silver, brass, enamel).
Found in the Roman fort at Ehingen-Risstissen, dating 1st century AD.

On display at our branch museum Limesmuseum Aalen

🏺 #archaeology

05.02.2026 09:53 β€” πŸ‘ 200    πŸ” 46    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 2

For Seleucidophiles ...

06.02.2026 14:38 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0