Antiquities Exhibits

From the 1st century BCE onwards, the Roman army began to deploy "barbarians" to protect Roman frontiers. This trend continued into the Imperial Period and the expanded borders necessitated the use of increasing numbers of foederati to defend the empire.  By the 4th century CE, of more than 75,000 troops stationed in Gaul, most hailed from Germania, an area stretching as far north as Scandinavia and as far east as the Vistula River.   Fortunately for historians, the grave goods of these Germanic warriors both in and outside the empire have provided a treasure trove of information about the money, gifts, and often elaborately decorated military insignia these men acquired during their service to Rome.   "Promises of Roman citizenship and military and economic support encouraged barbarian leaders to assist their wealthy neighbor, primarily by providing troops," observes Melanie Holcomb in her paper, Barbarians and Romans, published by the Metropolitan Museum of Ar...

New Roman Imperial Period permanent display opening this fall at the Landesmuseum in Halle, Germany.  Fragments of Roman-era Germanic shields will be among the Roman Imperial finds featured in the museum's new Roman Imperial Period permanent display.  Other artifacts include gold neck rings, brooches, silver belts and buckles, spurs, knives, coins, arrowheads, drinking cups, and serving ware. Image: Seventeen hundred-year-old wooden shield fragment unearthed near Madeburg, Germany courtesy of the museum.