Signalling on a Small Scale

The Decoration of Armour to Reinforce Legionary Identity at Mušov

Abstract

Signalling on a Small Scale. The Decoration of Armour to Reinforce Legionary Identity at Mušov

Recent archaeological research at Mušov-Burgstall in the Czech Republic, a key Roman military site during the Marcomannic Wars, has uncovered three armour scales with unique features. While Roman scale armour was usually left plain, these scales are decorated with embossing. They display a stylized laurel leaf, filled in with three dots representing hobnails. Both elements are known as emblematic symbols of the 10^th ­legion used on legionary stamps. For the first time, these symbols are also seen on armour scales that date to the ­Marcomannic Wars. This discovery reinforces the importance of symbolism in military attire, highlighting its role in group identity and the need for psychological stability amid uncertainty. The finds contribute to a ­broader understanding of Roman military equipment, demonstrating not only their functional character but also their symbolic aspects.