Belt (cingulum militare)

Roman soldiers wore a belt called a cingulum around their waists. This was made of leather and was often covered in decorated metal plaques. It had a buckle like a modern belt.

The cingulum also had attachments for the soldier’s dagger. These were small studs, which rings on the dagger sheath hooked onto. At certain times in Roman history the belt also carried the sword, although often the sword had its own belt which hung over the shoulder.

The belt also had an apron – several strips of leather hanging down at the front, covered in metal studs and with metal pieces hanging from the end.

Below are some metal plaques and a buckle from actual Roman belts.