Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 30/1. (2010)
Articles
154 I. Fábián weapons, axes, which ranged in size from the smallest (30 cm) used to be thrown against the enemy, to those who were operated with both hands because of the large size and weight. Thus we believe that even in the burial contexts of 4th to 7th centuries the discoveries of weapons are quite frequent, in the northern area of the lower Danube, must operate with extreme caution since with small exceptions arms are which are Roman inspiration that do not mean that were created with the Roman-Byzantine technology but we are dealing imitations the forms of arms of the empire. (In the same way as the Empire has been copied the most effective weapons of the barbarians). We will continue with the presentation (with all the necessary specification) of the main type of arms and military equipment most commonly used: spurs, umbones shield, swords and axes: partly they are of Roman model and (at least partly) achieved with Roman technology. Their importance in this discussion lays in the fact that their presence means an interaction between people who wore those equipments and the Empire, in the area north of the Danube. Thus, spurs, these typical European military equipments, spread heavily in Eastern Europe at the end of 2nd century AD and the beginning of the next. Along with discoveries of Säntana de Mures-Cernjahov cultural area, spurs are known in the late Roman age by bearers Przeworsk culture up to the civilization of Carpathian tumuli in Slavic and Balto-Slavic area and, exceptionally, in the Finnish area. The area north of the Danube spurs were found in inhumation graves from Bärlad- Valea Seacä,4 Hlincea (Iasi county),5 and Säbäoani (Neamt county). Shield umbones are present in all the warrior tombs, the most representative pieces being those from Budesti (Bistrita-Näsäud County), where during the construction of the railway a sword and a damaged shield umbo were found. It is interesting that at the first sight the umbo was regarded as a helmet because of the high conical form.6 The umbo is fitted with facets, has a height of 10.5 cm, diameter 18 cm and the frame has a width of 3.5 cm provided with six catching mansions. Analogies are found in the rider tomb from Ujhartyán near Budapest. Dating may be somewhere in the 4th century AD. Note that the sword from Budesti also has an analogy in the tomb from Ujhartyán. It may be considered that these objects from the tombs of riders can be linked the Gepidic presence in the area. Another shield umbo was found in Medias, in an uncertain discovery place. It has a height of 13.5 cm, diameter: 22 cm, frame width 5 cm. It is contemporary with the first specimens from Mogosani,7 Tárgsor,8 Dolhesti Mari (Suceava County), the latter not being published yet.9 Other sites with umbo discoveries are in lasi-Nicolina,10 11 and Letcani11 (Iasi County). Swords, spear tips and battle axes are also often present objects in the tomb inventory of warriors and riders. Swords have a special status in the migratory world (especially in the Germanic area) being not only attack weapon but also signs of belonging to an elite group, a symbol of the dignity of the free man. Long swords (worn on belt or on the shoulder) were kept in a wooden sheath, decorated, sometimes with marquetry of gold and silver. Most swords are, 4 Palade 1971, 259; Palade 1980, 407-416, 259; Petrescu 2002, 62. 5 Petrescu-Dämbovita 1954,233; Petrescu 2000, 150. 6 Horedt 1986, 148. 7 Kokowski 1993, 335. 8 Kazanski 1994, 478. 9 Kokowski 1993, 335; Kazanski 1994, 478. 10 Ionitä 1985, 30-49; Petrescu 2002, 159. 11 Blo$iu 1975, 203-275; Petrescu 2002, 173.
