Cingulum Militare, Romano-Germanic Central Museum, Mainz (RGZM), 1st century AD

Roman legionary belt with pteryges and tinned brass fittings

The Roman cingulum militare was a leather belt covered with decorative metal plates and often equipped with holders or suspension devices for the soldier's dagger. This war belt was not only used to support the warrior's braccae (trousers) during battle, but was also a symbol of rank or military honor.

The cingulum often included a leather apron, composed of several flat, narrow strips (called pteryges or pteruges), which hung from the belt and were decorated with continuous rows of riveted metal fittings. Each strip ended with metal tags (pensilia).

The Roman legionary's cingulum or balteus, richly decorated with tinned brass fittings, is a replica of an original artifact dated to the second half of the 1st century AD and is now housed in the Romano-Germanic Central Museum in Mainz (RGZM). The hinged buckle, riveted plaques and medallions, movable Pugio brackets, and pendants are all based on historical finds from the Mainz region.

The waist belt is made of sturdy 3 mm thick leather and is also lined with suede to protect the wearer's tunic from the rivets that hold the decorative plaques. The strap is pre-cut and adjustable to a variety of sizes. A leather cord for attaching and attaching a dagger to the button-shaped Pugio suspension is included.

Shipping Weight: 2.70 kg