12-15-2013, 11:33 AM
The only Roman-era mace discovered within the european* territory of the empire is this one, found at Vinkovci (ancient Cibalae) in a layer dating to the second half of the fourth century:
[attachment=8562]Mace2.jpg[/attachment]
It's forged from a single piece of iron, with eight short spikes.
* edit - I've just had a look in Simon James' Final Report from Dura-Europos, and he has a small drawing (p.189) of a copper alloy mace head found at Dura and now in Damascus museum. Once again it's a 'spiked' design, rather more compact than the one above. He mentions another one from Mauretania, and an Iranian version in the Louvre.
[attachment=8562]Mace2.jpg[/attachment]
It's forged from a single piece of iron, with eight short spikes.
* edit - I've just had a look in Simon James' Final Report from Dura-Europos, and he has a small drawing (p.189) of a copper alloy mace head found at Dura and now in Damascus museum. Once again it's a 'spiked' design, rather more compact than the one above. He mentions another one from Mauretania, and an Iranian version in the Louvre.
Nathan Ross
