Roman neck torcs

[Agraes]

I am looking for neck torcs found in roman context, especially from the late empire (including Byzantine stuff of the VIth century). I know at least one model.

To developp a bit as Im working on a Romano-British impression of the late Vth century, I plan to get a torc. There is references to torcs in later welsh poetry (Im especially thinking to Y Gododdin and the "three hundred golden torcs). Now question is:
- is that inherited from the late roman army, as some ranks were given torcs as a reward
- is that an older "celtic" custom, in case of I can't find celtic torcs dated after 200 AD (apart from Pictish neck chains).

[Urselius]

There are Late Roman torcs shown worn by guardsmen on the Missorium of Theodosius, also on the San Vitale mosaic of Justinian.

As for Sub-Roman British use of torcs, I think it would be a guess as to whether the use was Roman inspired (we know they kept using Roman military ranks such as Protectores) or a native survival. We do know that La Tene art survived to grace the Lindisfarne Gospel and that iron cauldron suspension chains had an unbroken line of development from the Belgic settlements in Britain up to the Sutton Hoo burial, so a retention of torc-wearing for this length of time is not inconceivable.

[Robert Vermaat]

I agree with Martin. Remember also the torc of Julianus' draconarius, who use it to crown Julian with!

Holger Ratsdorf once had a very nice but costly golden one...

[Agraes]

Im looking for more informations for this one. All I know is that it is conserved in the British Museum.

[venicone]

Now question is:
- is that inherited from the late roman army, as some ranks were given torcs as a reward
- is that an older "celtic" custom, in case of I can't find celtic torcs dated after 200 AD (apart from Pictish neck chains).

This find from the Portable Antiquities scheme dates Circa 175 AD - Circa 350 AD

http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas ... 90AA40193E

[TITVS SABATINVS AQVILIVS]

It's the first time I see a late muscolata (high officer kit) associated to a torques...

SYNCRETISTIC DEITY
Basalt

Syrian military deity combining local
warrior deity Hadad, Zeus, and Hermes(?).
The god wears a cuirass, a ram-headed
torque with large (gem) settings, and
a cloak pinned at the right shoulder with
a brooch and leaf pendants.
He carries a double axe in his lost
right hand and a snake at his left hip.

Romano-Syrian, Ca 3rd century AD



Valete,

[MARCvSVIBIvSMAvRINvS]

a cloak pinned at the right shoulder with
a brooch and leaf pendants.

which looks very much like the Brooch they found at Hadrian's wall, in 1st century context!



M.VIB.M.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

a cloak pinned at the right shoulder with
a brooch and leaf pendants.

which looks very much like the Brooch they found at Hadrian's wall, in 1st century context!



M.VIB.M.

Well Spotted that man!