Roman souvenir The Staffordshire Moorlands bowl
You know how we go on vacation and buy souvenirs to remember that special time? Ancient Roman souvenirs that date to the time of Hadrian’s wall have been discovered, suggesting that high-ranking soldiers and officers did the very same thing.
Roman Emperor Hadrian built a great wall across what the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire, in what is now modern-day England, close to the border of Scotland.
This wall took six years to build and stretched 73 miles from Wallsend in the east to the Solway Firth in the west.
It took about six years for three legions of infantrymen from the army of Britain to complete the Wall. Each legion had about 5,000 men. These soldiers had the responsibility of major construction tasks like building stone forts and bridges.
Along the wall, an active military line for three hundred years, stood seventeen major forts, with many more mile castles and turrets built for defense.
Consequently, communities would spring up outside the forts. Camp followers, merchants, farmers, etc., all had something to sell for the soldiers who could afford to buy their goods.
Roman souvenir The Staffordshire Moorlands bowl
It is believed that the two bowls featured in this post are ancient Roman military souvenirs of the time. Like buying a coffee cup or a set of salt and pepper shakers with “Niagara Falls” or “Las Vegas” emblazoned on it. Probably only high-ranking Roman officers could afford to purchase these.
Because these discoveries fascinated me, I featured these antique Roman souvenirs in my second historical novel, The Fury of Dragons.
The bowl, above, is the Staffordshire Moorlands cup. Experienced metal detectorists out for a walk discovered it in 2004. If I lived in England, I’d be out there with a metal detector, too!
The names of the first 5 forts on Hadrian’s Wall are engraved along the top rim. It originally had a handle and might have been used as a type of skillet. It dates to the 2nd century.
The elaborate Celtic-style curvilinear design still possesses much of its original decorative enamel, done in vivid turquoise, blue, red, yellow, and purple hues.
And in the photo, above, you can see the name “DRACO” inscribed on the top left. It’s uncertain if Draco was the owner of the bowl or the person who manufactured it.
Roman souvenir The Rudge cup
The left photo is of a copy of the Rudge cup, found at the bottom of a well at the site of a Roman villa in Wiltshire, England. It shows a representation of Hadrian’s Wall with its turrets and mile castles. The cup dates to the first half of the second century and also lists forts on the Wall.
It's great to think that only the 'elite' forces of ancient cultures could afford or receive such tremendous artifacts as we see them. I'm more akin to the thought that the grunts, or peons of those forces actually used the artifacts they were given in their daily lives and service requirements. 'Here's your bowl and monthly salt payment' ( as salt was a much needed substance in preserving food in those days)'. You kin, get up there and make sure the promenade looks great for the leaders wedding next month.' 'Yes, SIR!" says the lowest level workers as they know they have the next month to look forward to digging the trenches of whatever cruddy project vs. a presdigious project of making the scene a beautiful one. So, of course, they take it. And during that time their 'artifacts' they received are used and abused during the normal wear and tear of daily life. It's not a surprise that there are so few artifacts from the old days. I suspect people used what they had and didn't really think about preserving them so that some futurian could uncover their 'horde' and showcase it to the modern world. They used what they had to enable their kids to morph the world into what it is today. I can't begin to think of the countless ancestors I have and what they DID go through in order for me to be here today. It's monumental. We can trace our family back by about five generations ago. Beyond that things start to get fuzzy. Prior to that it's anyone's guess as to what happened . I'm glad to be here and making a difference in the lives of those I influence. I can only imagine what effects I might have on the next five generations. I hope that it is a preserving one. Along with the funny. I'm really good with the funny. You know that I am. Kiss, Kiss. Will I still be perfect, tommorow?