MESSAGE IN A VESSEL: THE STRANGE CASE OF THE HADRIAN’S WALL CUPS

Posted January 18th, 2010 by Dylan

MESSAGE IN A VESSEL: THE STRANGE CASE OF THE HADRIAN’S WALL CUPS 
In 2003 an enamelled bronze Roman cup, a ‘patera’, was found in Staffordshire which gave the Latin names of some forts on Hadrian’s Wall. This added to the number of such vessels already known, but raised more questions than it answered. What was the purpose of these patera? Why were they found in such widely separated locations, both here and abroad? Who acquired such souvenirs, and just what exactly was being celebrated?
Roman military studies meet brilliant celtic craftsmanship in this colourful exploration of the evidence.