Fibula                 

The Fibula was a brooch or pin to hold up the cloak, or sometimes other articles of clothing. Generally they were crossbow shaped or penannular in this period, but some were Zoo-morphological and depicted fish, eagles, or horses. 


WHERE TO BUY:


HR Replikate - Very wide variety of Germanic and Roman Brooches. Almost anything from 300-475 AD is acceptable.


Medievaldesign - Sells a Roman Crossbow Fibula and Penannular Fibula.


Soul of the Warrior - Sells a Cheap Penannular Fibula.


Celtic Web Merchant - Sells several Fibula, of which their Horse-Head Fibula, Crossbow Fibula, Cologne Fibula, and Rzezow Fibula are acceptable.


Replik Shop - Wide Variety of Roman and Germanic Fibula. Almost anything from 300-475 AD is acceptable.


Raymond's Quiet Press - Sells a late Roman Fibula made by Hattatt.


Balteus

The Balteus was the Roman Belt. These changed throughout the late Roman era, and belt fittings help date many finds. In the 5th century, belts with propellor stiffeners were common until the 450's, but there were other kinds used. With some domed rivets and a piece of 4 oz leather, it is very easy to make your own belt.

WHERE TO BUY:


Armamentaria - Sells a variety of belt parts, mostly Romano-British in nature. All date to the late 4th century.

Soul of the Warrior - Sells a set of 5th Century Propellor Belt Parts from Baydon, Britain

Medieval Design - Sells the Oundenberg Belt, and for a little extra can assemble it for you. Good for 4th or 5th century.

Replik Armory - Sells a Kaiser-Augst belt, dating to around 350. Very high quality.

HR Replikate - Sells a wide variety of belt parts, we recommend their propellor stiffener belts.

Hans Binfeld - Sells two late 4th century or early 5th century belts, including the Oundenberg.

Raymond's Quiet Press - Sells the Oundenberg belt and one from the Heugron Publication. Late 4th and Early 5th centuries respectively.

Replik Shop - Wide variety of Late Roman belt parts.

Calcei or Carbatinae

Calcei and Carbatinae varied from soldier to soldier, but by this point they had entirely replaced Caligae. These late Roman boots come from a variety of places, including Deurne, Vindolanda, and Cujik. There are two patterns of boot, known as Ramshaw and Zwammerdam, with the Zwammerdam pattern dating from the 1st-4th century and the Ramshaw from the 3rd-6th century.


WHERE TO BUY:


Medievaldesign - Sells 3rd century Dura Europos Zwammerdam Calcei, a 4th century Ramshaw type Calcei, and Cujik 5th century Campagi.


Armamentaria - Sells 3rd century Dura Europos Zwammerdam boots.


Ancient Empires Reproductions - Sells 3rd century Dura europos Zwammerdam boots.


Soul of the Warrior - Sells Romano-British 5th Century Calcei from the Vergilius Vaticanus. Available as a DIY Kit only, and can be dyed.


DO IT YOURSELF:


Comitatus Shoemaking Guide


Shoulder Bags and Canteens

Shoulder bags had been in use since Roman times, and were great for carrying around personal belongings.

WHERE TO BUY:

Soul of the Warrior - Sells a Commachio and Two Vindonissa shoulder Bags. Highly recommended to keep anachronistic objects out of sight! They can also make a custom SOTW Canteen!

Jewelry

Although much late Roman jewelry was for women, cloisonne made an appearance during the 5th century and became extremely popular during the Merovingian era, decorating everything from scabbards to Fibulae. Rings also remained popular, along with Celtic-style torques. Some of this jewelry was of an inappropriate nature, so we do not allow such replicas, however historically accurate they may be.

WHERE TO BUY:

HR Replikate - Sells late Roman jewelry, and Cloisonne.

Replik - Sells late Roman rings, chains and bracelets.

Raymond's Quiet Press - Sells late Roman jewelry

Soul of the Warrior - Sells two Late Roman Torques

Coins

There were a number of late Roman coins, most notably the Solidus, Semissis, Tremissis, Siliqua, AE, Follis, and Nummis. The Solidus had stabilized the economy in the early 4th century, and was not debased until the 10th. Bronze coins are very easy to acquire for decent prices, and sometimes gold and silver coins can be found in the hundred dollar price range. Barbarian imitations are especially rare and valuable, and all make great additions to a numismatist's collection.Along with buying real coins, one can also easily acquire replicas. A good coin replicator marks his coins as replicas, to discourage faking, as many are extremely realistic. Replicas are highly recommended for reenactment, as real coins are expensive and most numismatists place an emphasis on preserving them.Coins for late antiquity should correspond with the period you are representing. For the Placidi Valentiniani Felices, any coin from Theodosius I to Valentinian III in the West, or Theodosius I to Marcian in the East is acceptable.

WHERE TO BUY:

VCoins - A reliable site that helps numismatists sell coins. They screen for fakes and replicas, and can be trusted.

Museum Reproductions - Sells a variety of coins, including a Semissis of Valentinian III. For our unit their Valentinian III Semissis is highly recommended, even though it is a little too thick.

Living History - Sells some late Roman coins. Very good quality reproductions, cheaper if you buy in bulk.