Small fibulae, such as this piece, were worn by both Roman soldiers and subjects across the empire. They served both a decorative and practical function, being used to fasten articles of clothing, such as cloaks or togae. They often took on the form of stylised animals, with zoomorphic brooches being one of the most popular designs of plate brooches. Animals were a favoured decorative motif across Roman art, either in association with specific deities or myths, or as popular domestic animals.
During the Roman Empire, horses were extremely important for battle, as well as for most aspects of everyday life, such as transportation, hunting, farming, and chariot racing. The Romans associated the horse with the spoils of war, connecting it symbolically with power, victory, honour, domination, and virility. In Graeco-Roman mythology and culture, the horse was said to have been created by Poseidon (Neptune) and devoted to Hades (Pluto) and Ares (Mars). The Romans also believed the horse to be a symbol of the continuity of life, and would sacrifice a horse to the god Mars every October, keeping its tail through the winter as a sign of fertility and rebirth.
To discover more on Roman and Celtic brooches, please see our relevant blog post: Roman and Celtic Fibulae
