Vindolanda brooch- auxillary soldiers?

[Caballo]

This brooch was found at Vindolanda recently. It appears to show an officer in the centre wearing pteruges and a lorica musculata, flanked by two soldiers with spears and hexagonal shields.

My question is, who are the flanking soldiers?

One option - barbarians - seem unlikely. The depiction is a long way from the naked barbarian being trampled or the captive with hands behind his back.

Similarly, this is a long way from a legionary depiction (no curved shield/ helmet etc.)

So the most likely- and simplest- explanation is that these are auxillaries, flanking their officer. Bare-headed, possibly not wearing armour with hexagonal shields, is this how the Tungrians or Ninth Cohort of the Batavians at Vindolanda actually looked?

Cheers

Caballo

[caiusbeerquitius]

Interesting. Do you have by any chance a larger pic?

[Caballo]

I wish......the pic comes from the Vindolanda website http://www.vindolanda.com/ (click recent excavations and scroll down).

Cheers


Caballo

[Mark Headlee]

Would make a very interesting reproduction for those of us with a focus on Roman Britain....any takers or makers.....

[Malko Linge]

May be, it's an Caesar and the shields in this form comes from the praetorian guard?


Malko Linge
______________
(Christian)

[mcbishop]

This brooch was found at Vindolanda recently. It appears to show an officer in the centre wearing pteruges and a lorica musculata, flanked by two soldiers with spears and hexagonal shields.

My question is, who are the flanking soldiers?

Well the 'soldiers' are in fact standards, which is a bit clearer here.

Similarly, this is a long way from a legionary depiction (no curved shield/ helmet etc.)

So the most likely- and simplest- explanation is that these are auxillaries, flanking their officer. Bare-headed, possibly not wearing armour with hexagonal shields, is this how the Tungrians or Ninth Cohort of the Batavians at Vindolanda actually looked?

It supposedly belonged to a legionary called Sollonius, so the 'simplest explanation' is in fact that is a manuport, brought in from elsewhere and that it depicts one of two common themes in Roman military art: the emperor or Mars flanked by standards (or, arguably, the emperor as Mars).

The chances that it depicts what the soldiers at Vindolanda looked like is probably, sadly, slim.

Mike Bishop

[Caballo]

Thanks Mike.
Does anyone know if there is more detail on this brooch in this new book?

The Roman Jewellery From Vindolanda
by Barbara Birley and Elizabeth Greene
http://www.oxbowbooks.com/bookinfo.cfm/ID/47587
Cheers

Caballo
Oxbow says: This fourth volume of Research Reports on artefacts from the Roman site of Vindolanda focuses on items of personal adornment. Barbara Birley and Elizabeth Greene have studied 635 beads, intaglios, finger rings, ear rings and bracelets found at the site and present, in this volume, a catalogue and discussion of types, and a more general discussion of the context of the pieces in terms of indicating civilian versus military occupation, in terms of life and Roman culture at this site on the northern frontier and of Roman culture in general. Therefore, the study of these items of jewellery not only opens a window onto those living at Vindolanda, but also on Roman culture in this area, and its inter-mingling with local traditions, as well as aspects of trade and craftmanship. 158p, b/w and col pls (Research Reports, New Series Vol. IV, Roman Army Museum Publications for the Vindolanda Trust, 2006)

[Peroni]

Mike,

Does it say anywhere which legion this Sollonius was in? Is it on the brooch anywhere?

[Caballo]

Salve frater Peroni,

From the Vindolanda site "Nearby finds have included the spectacular brooch, once owned by Quintus Sollonius from the century of Capitus, who very kindly had his name inscribed on the clasp. Capitus was probably the Second Legion Augusta centurion, who left behind an inscription at Caerleon."

Cheers
Caballo

[Peroni]

Thanks Paul!