Military Awards

[Lothia]

Ave Civitas,

I am in search of information concerning the phalera. (and other military awards) for a novella I am working on.

I have seen photos of the Phalarae on your site. the discs appears to be worn on a harness over the curiass.

I know it is an award. A military decoration, but for what?

Are the phalerae awarded in pairs? In batches of six?

Can a soldier earn a single phalera?

If he can, how would that be displayed?

Thanks.

Lothia / Tom Chelmowski

[Matt Lukes]

Hi Tom,

Thus far I've only ever seen them depicted on tombstones in sets of either 6 or 9, either with or without a pair of torques as well. They do seem to be at least somewhat rank independent- there are examples worn by Centuriones and at least one Aquilifer.

[Praefectusclassis]

Everything you always wanted to know and more about Roman decorations:
V.Maxfield, The military decorations of the Roman army (London 1981).