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:
- Balteus: Hanging band that was compounded for an overall band.
- Bulla: Rivets on the baltea.
- Pensilium: Pendant at the end of the straps of the belt.
- Lamna: Discus at the end of each apron strip that embrace the pensilium.
- 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).
- ^ 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)