Iron sword with bronze hilt fittings
Roman Britain, 1st century AD
From Hod Hill, Dorset
This Roman long sword has Celtic-style decoration on the hilt
fittings. The Roman garrison in the fort at Hod Hill included
detachments of both auxiliary cavalry and legionaries. This sword
may have belonged to a soldier of either unit, though its size is
perhaps better adapted to use by a cavalry trooper.