Browse Exhibits (1 total)

Brooches of the Late Empire

When looking for artifacts that reflect the later years of the Roman Empire, there are many to choose from.  Coins can denote years and emperors, pottery can show the lifestyle of citizens, ordinary and elite.  However, brooches offer a unique insight.  They served as markers, and these markers could either be of status, rank, or sub-servitude.  Many people of importance had brooches, ranging from civil servants to military officials.  Naturally, once the elite saw these fascinating pieces of jewelry, they too incorporated them into their dress style.  Often ornate, each type of brooch can be examined based off its location within the empire, its material, and any inscriptions or decorations.  A major question this then posed was “What kinds of brooches were there in the late empire, and what did these brooches reflect?” and that is what this exhibit tries to examine.

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