the horns downwards. Is it possible that in the Newstead pieces we have the decoration of one of those Cimbrian tunics mentioned by Arrian—discs that glittered and shone as the horseman rode in mimic warfare? Or were they, rather, the pieces of a breast-plate of simple pattern which, in a decorated form, became symbols of distinction?
Bronze Objects of Unknown Use
The group of bronze objects which follows should probably be classed as armour (Plate XXXII.). That is the inference suggested by their shape as well as by the circumstances in which they were discovered. They were found twice, each time in a set of four. The first set was taken, like certain of the helmets, from Pit XXII. The second set came from Pit XXVII, where it was associated with the mountings of the military belt already described. At first sight they look like shoulder-pieces.
Two of the members of each set seem arranged, one for the right, the other for the left side, each of them being furnished with a depending peak at one end. Along the line of the top they measure 77⁄8 inches, and from the top line to the end of the peak 7 inches. The two smaller members of each set are without the depending peaks. Holes have been punched at regular distances round the edge of each of the eight, obviously for attaching leather.
FIG. 17. NAMES INSCRIBED UPON THE
BRONZE OBJECTS FROM PIT XXII
In the set found in Pit XXII, each piece was marked with a number and a name. One of the larger pieces has the number XV punctured upon it, followed by the name SENECIO, scratched with a knife-point in cursive letters, while below this name, and turned the reverse way, a second name has been scratched with a blunter point and much more irregularly. The latter is read by Professor Haverfield as CRESCES. On each of the other three pieces is punctured the number XII, followed by the name SENECIONIS, scratched as before. The members of the set found in Pit XXVII hardly differed from the others in their dimensions. But the holes punched in the edge were much more numerous, while the fragments still adhering made it
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