ITEM: Armilla MATERIAL: Bronze CULTURE: Roman PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D DIMENSIONS: 57 mm x 60 mm CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex ALARA S.P.R.L (1976), Ex F.K. collection, 1972 - 1976 If you bid outside the European Union and win the item, we will have to apply for an export licence for your country and shipping will take 3 to 5 weeks. The Roman armilla was a distinct type of bracelet or armband that served as one of the most prestigious military decorations, known as dona militaria. Unlike the jewelry worn by Roman women for aesthetic purposes, the armilla was specifically awarded to legionaries and non-commissioned officers for acts of conspicuous bravery in the field. These heavy bands, often made of gold, silver, or bronze, were worn on the forearm or bicep during military parades and public ceremonies, acting as a visible "medal" that signaled the wearer’s courage and veteran status to his peers and the citizenry. The design of the armilla varied significantly depending on the era and the rank of the recipient. Early examples often took the form of "snake-thread" spirals or simple open-ended hoops, while later versions featured flared ends or intricate moldings. Some were cast in solid metal with geometric patterns, while others displayed the heads of lions or serpents, echoing the strength and ferocity required of a Roman soldier. When a soldier was depicted on his funerary monument, the inclusion of armillae on his uniform was a deliberate choice to ensure his military honors were remembered for eternity. Beyond its role as a reward, the armilla functioned as a powerful psychological tool within the Roman military machine. By wearing these honors, soldiers were physically tethered to the honor of their legion and the favor of the Emperor. The distribution of such ornaments fostered a culture of meritocracy and fierce competition for glory. Today, archaeologists find these armillae across the former frontiers of the Empire—from Britain to the Danube—providing tangible evidence of individual stories of heroism that would otherwise be lost to the shifting sands of history.