Early Christian Themes and Symbols on Roman Militaria of the 4th to 6th/7th Centuries CE

The starting point of this contribution is the striking difference between the high frequency of depictions of symbols of pagan gods used as protective symbols on the shields and helmets of Roman soldiers between the 1st to 3rd centuries CE and the almost complete absence of similar depictions of Christian symbols in the 4th and 5th centuries. No archaeological finds of shields from the 4th to 6th/7th centuries are preserved, but the Chi Rho appears regularly in depictions on shields carried by soldiers near the emperor. However, this may mean that these shields were carried exclusively by the emperor’s bodyguard. While the archaeological finds of helmets dating to the 4th to 5th centuries were decorated, most were devoid of any decoration that can be unequivocally connected to either the Christian religion or any of the pagan gods. The few exceptions are a small number of helmets decorated with a small Chi Rho right above the brow. In addition to being a Christian symbol, the close connection of the Chi Rho to Constantine may also have made it a sign of loyalty to the emperor. From the late 5th to the 6th/7th centuries, Latin crosses with gems (crux gemmata) and clearly Christian themes (Daniel in the lion’s den) seem to be depicted on helmets with a higher frequency, and in a clearly apotropaic manner. It seems that the soldiers of this period reverted to the custom of asking divine protection in battle by decorating their armour with symbols connected to their god and to salvation.