sword;
sword-sheath
- Museum number
- 1866,0806.1
- Title
- Object: The Sword of Tiberius
- Description
-
Iron sword and tinned and gilded bronze scabbard (sheath). This object illustrates the ceding of military victory to Augustus by Tiberius after a successful Alpine campaign. Augustus is shown semi-nude, and sits in the pose of Jupiter, flanked by Victory and Mars Ultor ('the Avenger'), while Tiberius, in military dress, presents Augustus with a statuette of Victory. The shield on which the seated figure rests his left arm is inscribed in Latin, Felicitas Tiberi, while the shield held by Victory nears the legend, Vic[toria] Aug[usti].
- Production date
- 15 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Thickness: 0.40 - 1 centimetres (blade)
-
Length: 57.50 centimetres (blade)
-
Length: 8.50 centimetres (hilt (remaining))
-
Length: 58.50 centimetres (scabbard)
-
Width: 7 centimetres (blade)
-
Width: 8.70 centimetres (scabbard)
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- The iron sword and its decorated bronze scabbard was almost certainly commissioned for a senior officer to commemorate a victory in the lengthy and bloody military campaigns in Germany. Victory in these campaigns was essential for the extension and protection of Rome's empire, and the symbolic act of presenting it to the emperor avoided the destructive competition between generals, which had brought down the Roman Republic.
- Location
- On display (G70/dc15)
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2015, 19 Jun-1 Nov, Kalkriese, Museum und Park Kalkriese, I, Germanicus!
2009 15 May-25 Oct, Haltern am See, LWL Romermuseum, Imperium, Conflict, Myth
August - December 2012, Germany, Magdeburg, Kulturhistorisches Museum, ' Otto the Great and the Roman Empire'
2021 May 27-Oct 24, London, BM SEG, Nero
- Acquisition date
- 1866
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1866,0806.1
