FIBULA WITH PORTRAITS

FIBULA WITH PORTRAITS

Gilded bronze crossbow fibula with three portraits in medallions on a massive arch. It is assumed that the presented images were those of the sons of Constantine the Great: Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans. These type of fibulae, as expression of the emperor’s gratitude and generosity (largitio), had been given to the deserving ones in the army and administration on the occasion of some holiday or jubilee. Possible occasion for their occurrence could have been introduction to power of three young augusti in 337.

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