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  1. Seuso Research Project
  2. Imperial fibula with onyx, Szilágysomlyó
Imperial fibula with onyx (Photo: © Hungarian National Museum)
Imperial fibula with onyx (Photo: © Hungarian National Museum)
Pannonia
Second half of the 4th c. A.D.

Imperial fibula with onyx, Szilágysomlyó

In 1889 a very special object was discovered as part of a treasure hoard in Szilágysomlyó in the northern part of the Apuseni Mountains of Transylvania – a Roman imperial fibula (a brooch for clasping garments) made in the 4th century. Such gold fibulae decorated with enormous gems and worn as insignia were used exclusively by emperors and their male family members. Up to the present day, the jewel from Szilágysomlyó is the only existing known imperial fibula; apart from this one, similar objects are known only from contemporary representations. The chief ornament of the gold fibula weighing nearly half a kilogram is a perfectly cut, oval onyx. In addition, rock crystal, carnelian and coloured glass were also used to decorate it. It was made in a workshop of Rome, but presumably in the second half of the 4th century the Roman emperor may have presented it to a barbarian ruler on a special occasion or in tribute for his merits; that was how it must have got to the location where it was found, beyond the borders of the Empire.

  • Reign of Emperor Augustus

    Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace)
    Statue of Augustus from Prima Porta
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  • The Severan dynasty: the golden age of Pannonia

    Wall paintings from Brigetio
    Hercules mosaic, Aquincum
    Cult relief of Mithras, Sárkeszi
  • Ivory statue of Autumn (Autumnus), Savaria

  • The age of the soldier emperors

    Statue of Nemesis from the governor’s palace, Aquincum
  • Silver augur staff, Brigetio

  • Reign of Diocletian: the age of the First Tetrarchy

    Statue of the tetrarchs of Venice
    The Gold Coffin by Ferenc Móra
  • Reign of Emperor Constantine I (the Great)

    Mosaics of the Villa del Casale, Piazza Armerina
    The triumphal arch of Constantine
    The Colossus of Constantine I
    Colossal bronze statue of Constantine I
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    Heidentor, Carnuntum
    The Kaiseraugst treasure
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  • Imperial fibula with onyx, Szilágysomlyó

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    The Kőszárhegy quadripus
  • I. (The Great) Theodosius and his co-emperors

    Obelisk of Theodosius
    Gilded bronze bust of Valentinian II, Sopianae (?)
  • Fragment of glass vessel with gold foil decoration, Intercisa

  • Painted Early Christian burial chambers, Sopianae

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  • Sack of Rome

  • Giving up the territory of Pannonia

    Late Roman luxury villa, Nagyharsány
    The Beremend bronze plaque
  • Dethronement of Romulus Augustulus

  • Mosaics of Ravenna

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