Ancient Romans bells are percussion instruments. Bells have an inverted cup shape and something to make the cup vibrate to make a resonant sound, either a clapper, a ball enclosed within, or a mallet used to strike.

Roman bells have been among the various common small objects dating from Roman times. Most Roman bells were made of bronze or iron, though some have been ceramic or glass. The most common type of bell found have been 2-4 inches high, rounded-square corners, with a clapper suspended inside. The top of the bell usually had a soldered handle with eyelet hole for attaching or holding. The bottom of the bell often had feet, or nubs, at the corners on which to stand.

Uses of Roman bells are varied. The most obvious use is for music and was among the percussion instruments for rhythm and tempo. These bells were known as tintinnabulum, and could be used musically for performance, sacrifice, or festivals, or attached to the collars of horses for ceremonial or heralding purposes. They often were used in the wild and mystic chantings of the worship of Bacchus. These religious festivals were well-known for frenzied excitement and drunken revelry. Percussion instruments are ideal for building up the emotional charge that fuels such celebrations.

Large versions of Roman bells were used for town bell towers, church or temple towers, and in parades to announce the arrival of a dignitary, politician, or military or religious leader. The use of bells for announcing times for religious services, work, or commerce continues to be a practiced tradition. Schools are even begun and ended by the use of bells.

The lightly regarded bell can be overlooked even historically, but their variety and continued use hint at their timeless applications.

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