Roman Military DiplomasEmperor TrajanTrajan CoinsOther Ancient DocumentsMetallurgical AnalysesMaking the PlatesLDS Significance of Plates
Written documentation was just as important in ancient civilizations as written contracts and deeds are today.
The Romans, Greeks, Israelites, Egyptians, and other peoples took great care to document legal or civic events and to preserve important records.
This exhibition features an extraordinary set of Roman military plates from AD 109. Bronze plates such as these, known as military diplomas, were used for granting Roman citizenship and military honors to soldiers retiring after twenty-five years of service.
