Phalera (military decoration)

A phalera was a sculpted disk, usually made of gold, silver, bronze or glass, and worn on the breastplate during parades by Roman soldiers who had been awarded it as a kind of medal. Roman military units could also be awarded phalerae for distinguished conduct in action. These awards were often mounted on the staffs of the unit's standards. The term also refers to disks crafted by the continental Celts for religious and ornamental purposes, especially those used on equestrian gear.

• 
  A soldier with seven phalerae
• 
  Lauersfort Phalera, Burg Linn Museum Center, Krefeld, Germany
• 
  Roman military unit standards with phalerae
• 
  Circular Dacian phalera having the representation of a horseman with shield

See also

• Roman military decorations and punishments
• Mirror armour – similar oriental armour

External links

Media related to Falerae at Wikimedia Commons

• Roman Military Equipment – Military Awards and Decorations