Brooch · Late Antique
Crossbow fibula
250–450 CE, Roman
The crossbow fibula is the heavy late Roman brooch with a transverse arm ending in three knobs, worn on the right shoulder by officials and soldiers from about 250 to 450 CE. Gilded and inscribed examples were imperial gifts. It is a key marker of the late Roman military across the empire.
| Object | Brooch |
|---|---|
| Dates | 250–450 CE |
| Period | Late Antique |
| Cultures | Roman |
| Regions | Europe — Western & Central, Europe — Mediterranean, Europe — Northern & British Isles |
Diagnostic traits
Heavy bronze or gilded brooch with a transverse arm ending in three knobs, an arched bow and a long foot; a badge of late Roman office.
Identification
The three-knobbed crossbar, arched bow and long foot distinguish it from earlier sprung bow brooches; types by Keller and Pröttel date by knob shape and foot decoration. Most are copper alloy; gold examples are rare. The pin is hinged and the catch runs along the foot.
Reproductions and fakes
Cast new and patinated; genuine brooches show wear on the knobs and catch and a layered patina. Gilded fakes use modern electroplating.
Photographs
Elsewhere
- Wikidata: Q244602
Cite this article
Stratum Study. "Crossbow fibula" (Artifact type). Stratum Study pack 2026.09, as of 2026-09-21. https://stratum.black/study/types/crossbow-fibula. Accessed 2026-09-21.
@misc{stratum-crossbow-fibula,
title = {Crossbow fibula},
author = {{Stratum Study}},
howpublished = {\url{https://stratum.black/study/types/crossbow-fibula}},
year = {2026},
note = {Artifact type article, Stratum Study pack 2026.09, as of 2026-09-21; sources: stratum, wikidata, commons, cleveland. Accessed 2026-09-21.}
} Citations carry the pack version and the article's as-of date so they resolve to the same text later. The facts themselves belong to the sources listed below; cite those for the science.