Roman Cingulum Belt – ”She-Wolf” with Romulus and Remus – Deepeeka

Romulus and Remus - the story of the twins and their adoption by a female wolf is one of the founding legends of the Roman Empire - it is portrayed on many of the large brass plates of this Roman soldiers Cingulum belt. The plates are riveted to an adjustable belt of thick leather lined with a second panel of suede leather to protect your tunic from being chafed by the plate rivets. The tassets are adorned with brass medallions. The belt has the characteristic anchor points for hanging a Pugio dagger cast in hinged plates of brass.

Though Roman soldiery typically wore their swords on a shoulder baldric, they still typically wore an elaborate belt from which they bore their dagger. These cingulum (balteus) belts were often richly adorned with plates and medallions. Though the protection afforded by these belts was likely minimal, the care and expense that went into their creation reveals them to a be a prized part of their kit - perhaps it was a part of their gear that some soldiers could customize with embellished plates and medallions that could display their wealth, standing or rank.