Iron dagger and sheath

Roman Britain, 1st century AD
From the Roman fort site at Hod Hill, Dorset

Daggers were carried by legionaries and might be used in battle if the sword was lost, but generally they were probably more for prestige than for combat. The visible front plate of the iron sheath was often elaborately decorated. This example is based on rosettes and chevrons, which are picked out with inlays of brass and yellow-coloured enamel.