Phalera

Object/Artifact

-

Trimontium Museum

Edited from an original positive on film by © National Museums Scotland. Edited and digitised by The Trimontium Trust.

Edited from an original positive on film by © National Museums Scotland. Edited and digitised by The Trimontium Trust.

Name/Title

Phalera

Entry/Object ID

X.FRA 522

Description

Brass phalera with remains of silver plating, from the Roman site at Newstead (Trimontium). "The central boss is of silver, bordered by a rope-moulding of bright brass, which in its turn is surrounded by a moulding plated with silver, while the other band and the small circular projections on the rim have been overlaid with copper, bearing an embossed pattern. A flat circular ring is attached to the back of the phalera... From this project three strong loops of brass, which are flattened to prevent their chafing the horse's flank. Two of these loops would be attached to the breeching, while from the third would depend a floating streamer or some hanging ornament of metal." - J. Curle

Use

A phalera is a metal disc worn on the armoured chest of a soldier, or could also be used as decoration on a horses' harness.

Context

Trimontium was a Roman cavalry fort, so artefacts relating to warfare, cavalry and the military are a common find. When the Romans abandoned Trimontium, all of the weaponry and armour were deliberately buried. Found in Pit LV

Collection

National Museums Scotland

Category

Decorative Fittings

Acquisition

Accession

X.FRA 522

Source (if not Accessioned)

National Museums Scotland

Made/Created

Date made

80 - 180

Time Period

1st - 2nd century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Europe

Culture/Tribe

Romano British, Roman

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Decoration

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Decorative Furnishings

Nomenclature Class

Household Accessories

Nomenclature Category

Category 02: Furnishings

Getty AAT

Concept

phalerae

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

Previous Accession Number

Other Number

II.15.7

Dimensions

Diameter

3-5/8 in

Material

Brass, Silver, Copper

Color

Gold, Copper, dark grey, Brown

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

James Curle

Notes

Excavator

Related Publications

Publication

A Roman Frontier Post and Its People

Web Links and URLs

“A Roman Frontier Post and its People”, J Curle, p.298 and Pl. LXXII - 9, National Museums Scotland web link to artefact , Canmore web link to Newstead (Trimontium)

Research Notes

Research Type

Reference

Notes

“A Roman Frontier Post and its People”, J Curle, p.298 - 299. "The phalera measures 3 5⁄8 inches in diameter. Unlike the light discs which bear the name of Domitius Atticus, it is strongly put together. The central boss is of silver, bordered by a rope-moulding of bright brass, which in its turn is surrounded by a moulding plated with silver, while the other band and the small circular projections on the rim have been overlaid with copper, bearing an embossed pattern. A flat circular ring is attached to the back of the phalera shown in Fig. 43. From this project three strong loops of brass, which are flattened to prevent their chafing the horse's flank. Two of these loops would be attached to the breeching, while from the third would depend a floating streamer or some hanging ornament of metal. Unlike the majority of such finds, this phalera has suffered but little, and it thus serves to give a true impression of the richness of Roman harness-mountings. Many of them must have been lavishly decorated."