Roman sword belt fitting from the Roman fort Zugmantel, circa 200 to 250 AD.

Description

Sword belt fittings of a Roman long sword (spatha) from the Roman fort Zugmantel in Hessen, Germany, about 1st half of the 3rd century AD. The inscription reads : OPTIME MAXIME CON(serva) NUMERUM OMNIUM MILITANTIUM. Translated, this means something like: “Optimus Maximus (= Jupiter, symbolized by the eagle in the center of the clasp), protect the host of the fighting”. Fittings of this type can be found from England to Syria. Original brass tinned; for a belt width of about 6 cm.