Brooches in context. Two cases from the Palatine Hill (Rome) and their different ways of communicating personal identity

Abstract

Two Roman brooches from the north-eastern slopes of the Palatine Hill in Rome demonstrate the different ways that personal identity was expressed, for example, through the choice of objects from the past or by a marked peculiarity in shape and decoration. One brooch provides an opportunity to reflect on the concept of personal adornment acquiring particular meanings and values over time, potentially as a family heirloom. A second brooch, characterized by unusual shape and decoration, provides an invitation to further explore the relationship between the expression of personal identity and style. This paper, therefore, focuses on the potential of these objects to reveal new information about the relationship between objects of adornment and personal identity. On cover: Late Roman wall, the portion immediately south of the West Gate (Porta Oea) with re-used blocks from first-century mausolea (Drawing by Francesca Bigi) and Tombstone of Regina from South Shields (Arbeia) (Tyne and WearArchives and Museums/ Bridgeman Images). E-ISSN (online version) 2611-3686 ISSN (print version) 0065-0900

Keywords

• adornment
• Roman brooches
• Palatine Hill
• personal identity
• jewellery