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Cingulum militare

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A modern cingulum militare replica

A cingulum militare was a piece of ancient Roman military equipment in the form of a belt decorated with metal fittings, which was worn as a badge of military status by soldiers and officials. Many examples were made in the Roman province of Pannonia.[1]

The belt was composed of the following parts:

  1. Balteus: Hanging band that was compounded for an overall band.
  2. Bulla: Rivets on the baltea.
  3. Pensilium: Pendant at the end of the straps of the belt.
  4. Lamna: Discus at the end of each apron strip that embrace the pensilium.
  5. Fibula: Buckle of the belt.

The cingulum militare was used in conjunction with the helmet (galea), the shield (scutum), the overall armor on the upper body (lorica hamata), a dagger (pugio), and a sword (gladius).

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Crummy, Philip (1981). Colchester Archaeological Report 1/CBA Research Report 39: Aspects of Anglo-Saxon and Norman Colchester. Published by Colchester Archaeological Trust and the Council for British Archaeology. (ISBN 0 90678006 3)

The Roman Soldier's Belt