Silchester 3rd century
The Silchester eagle is a Roman bronze casting dating from the first or second century CE, uncovered in 1866 at Calleva Atrebatum in Silchester, Hampshire, England. It was purchased in 1980 by Reading Museum in Berkshire where it remains on display as of 2023.
The Silchester eagle is a wingless and damaged statue of an eagle, about 20 inches tall. It is missing its wings, but its head, neck, and body are intact. The eagle is beautifully crafted, with a proud and majestic bearing. It has a hooked beak, a fierce expression, and outstretched wings.
The Silchester eagle was found in the ruins of a Roman basilica in Silchester. Silchester was a Roman town that was located in the south of England. The basilica was the main public building in the town, and it is likely that the eagle was displayed there.
The Silchester eagle is thought to be a legionary eagle, which was the standard of a Roman legion. Legionary eagles were highly prized objects, and they were often carried into battle by the legionaries. The loss of an eagle was considered a great disgrace, and it was often a sign that a legion had been defeated.
The Silchester eagle is the only one of its kind found in Britain. Its discovery has led to speculation that it may have been the eagle of the Ninth Legion, a Roman legion that disappeared in the early second century AD. The fate of the Ninth Legion is one of the great mysteries of Roman history, and the Silchester eagle may provide some clues to its disappearance.
However, it is also possible that the Silchester eagle belonged to another Roman legion. There are many other possibilities, and it is unlikely that we will ever know for sure what the Silchester eagle was. However, it is a fascinating object that continues to intrigue historians and archaeologists.
History
The Silchester eagle was discovered on 9 October 1866 by the Reverend J. G. Joyce during the excavation of a Roman basilica in Calleva Atrebatum. The eagle was found in the forum basilica, between two layers of burnt material.
The eagle was badly damaged, and its wings were missing. However, it was clear that it was a beautiful and well-crafted object. The eagle was taken to the Reading Museum, where it has been on display ever since.
Significance
The Silchester eagle is a significant object for a number of reasons. First, it is the only legionary eagle found in Britain. Second, it is thought to have belonged to the Ninth Legion, one of the most famous and successful legions in Roman history. Third, the eagle’s discovery has led to speculation about the fate of the Ninth Legion, which disappeared in the early second century AD.
The Silchester eagle is a reminder of the Roman presence in Britain, and it continues to intrigue historians and archaeologists. The eagle’s origins and significance are still a mystery, but it is a fascinating object that continues to capture the imagination.
| Silchester eagle | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Material | Bronze |
| Size | 6 inches (15 cm) high |
| Created | 1st or 2nd century CE |
| Period/Culture | Roman |
| Discovered | 9 October 1866 Calleva Atrebatum |
| Discovered by | James Gerald Joyce |
| Present location | Reading Museum |
| Identification | REDMG : 1995.4.1 |
References
- ^ “Silchester Gallery”. Reading Museum. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ Cornell, Tim; Matthews, John (1991). The Roman World. Stonehenge. p. 138. ISBN 978-0867065589.
- ^ “Unknown title”. Minerva. 7: 28. 1996.
- ^ Gordon Hills (1873). “Proceedings of the Association: Notes on Roman Eagles”. The Journal of the British Archaeological Association. Brit. Arch. Ass.: 183–5.
- ^ Fulford, Michael (1981). “Silchester”. Current Archaeology (82): 328.