Ein spätantikes Zepter aus dem Childerichgrab

Abstract

A late Roman sceptre from the Childerich grave

In context of a hoard find of the 4th century discovered during excavations on the Palatine hill in Rome, three sceptres were found among others. Comparable objects are known from pictorial presentations. However, for the first time the finds from the Palatine hill provide evidence on the material and fastening of the spherical top of the staffs. These findings enable us to interpret a rock crystal sphere from the grave of the Frankish king Childerich († 482) as top of a late Roman sceptre which he – together with other insignia – should have been rewarded with by the administration of the late Roman Empire. This aspect sheds new light on the importance of the Salian Frankish kinglet as well. Remarkably a short notice also reports on rock crystal spheres from the royal tombs pillaged during the French revolution. It is possible that a symbol of kingship from Roman times survived here.