Aelius Aelianus was here  

1) Some of the shield bosses found in the Thorsberg and Nydam bogs are Roman imports. This piece bears the Roman inscription AEL·AELIANUS — a former owner? The dotted inscription was redrawn with white ink after its discovery.   

Location: Thorsberg Bog   

Material: Copper alloy 

One Weapon – Two Worlds   

2) Germanic swords were a hybrid of two worlds. The blades often came from Roman production, while the hilts were made locally. This sword hilt, for example, is crafted in the Germanic style. The blade, likely Roman in origin, did not survive in the acidic environment of the Thorsberg bog.  

Find site: Thorsberg bog 

Material: Gold, silver, copper alloy 

Available as a Set   

Sword scabbards also came from the Roman Empire. In most cases, only the sword strap buckles and the so-called scabbard ends (the lower closure of the sword scabbard) have survived. These are often of Roman origin. It is possible that the Roman blades arrived in Germania as a set together with the sword scabbards.   

 3) Sword belt buckles. 4) Sword scabbard fittings.   

Location: Thorsberg bog 

 Material: Copper alloy 

Swords Worn Roman Style   

The sword was worn diagonally across the upper body on a wide belt. This method of carrying the sword was copied from Roman soldiers. Numerous belt fittings were also inspired by Roman symbolism.   

5) Sword belt made of goatskin with copper alloy fittings. 6) End fitting of a sword belt made of copper alloy. 7) Ornaments made of copper alloy.   

Location: Thorsberg bog 

The Cross with a Symbol   

7) Symbols such as the swastika and the triskelion are symbols that were used in many ancient cultures. In the Roman Empire, they are often found in floor and wall mosaics, but also on fibulae and fittings.   

 In the 19th century, the swastika was glorified as the symbol of a supposed Indo-European race of “Aryans”. The German folkish movement interpreted it in an anti-Semitic and racist manner. 

Out of the Ordinary 

8) This frame belonged to a Roman military order. The so-called phalerae were awarded to soldiers or entire units of the Roman army as a reward for bravery and military merit. Did a Germanic warrior earn his stripes as a soldier in the service of Rome and bring this order home?   

Location: Thorsberg bog 

Material: Copper alloy