Доспех катафрактария из погребения в кургане «Рошава Драгана»
Armour of a Cataphractarius from the “Roshava Dragana” Barrow

Summary/Abstract: The authors introduce for discussion all preserved fragments of an armour from burial 2 of the “Roshava Dragana” in Bulgaria, which yielded remains of a chain mail, fragments of scale armour and badly preserved plate set. This armament was supplemented by a silvered Roman face-mask helmet. Apart from this helmet, armament was non-Roman, but seems to be of either Sarmatian or Parthian origin. The most intriguing in burial 2 of “Roshava Dragana” barrow was the presence of Sarmatian tamgas on the golden pommel and on the bronze belt’s buckle and images of two-headed dogs on the plates of the armour. “Roshava Dragana” is one of the largest barrows in Bulgaria and there could be buried a very influential nobleman. In our opinion, in late 1st century AD the most important man in the neighborhood was Titus Flavius Dinis, the son of Skeles of the tribe of Quirinus. He was Archiereus of koinon trakon — the general assembly of the Thracians. It is possible that villa Chatalka and barrow “Roshava Dragana” were connected with Dinis family. Is not found no evidence was found to prove participation of Dinis in campaigns against the Sarmatians and Dacians. But some parts of defensive armament from “Roshava Dragana” can be attributed as a trophy. Based on the analysis of the remaining elements of the armour, we can assume that many of its items find parallels on the Sarmatian territory and in armament of the neighbors. Apparently, this armour could be manufactured in Panticapaeum, since there is only one analogy of a two-headed dog image, like the one on the armour.

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