Ancient Roman Buckles

The buckle is one of the simplest yet most useful early tools used by mankind and ancient Roman buckles were commonly used in Rome. Long before zippers or velcro held the world together, the two most common forms of attachment were the lace and the buckle. The ancient Roman buckle is a simple masterful device used to help keep the Roman Republic, then Empire, moving and growing.

Rome is a good place to research the early history of the buckle. Our word for buckle comes from Middle English by way of Old French, and that from the Latin word for cheek-strap, buccula. The buccula was the buckle securing the soldier's helmet on his head, along the cheek.

Most ancient buckles and many today are of a basic D-shaped design with one end attached to one end of the belt or strap and a prong fitting into an eyelet of the other end of the strap. Many were one-piece designs and allowed for more ornamentation for those of rank. When the classic belt-buckle design was used, there was little room for design, but functioned well.

Buckles were expensive in the ancient world, so they were a symbol of status or at least importance to the state. The more noble or regal one's station, the more ornamental the buckles would become. Made of sturdy metals such as bronze in roman times, they were strong, durable, and did not rust. More prominent figures such as regal ladies may have worn silver, pearl, or other precious substance as a buckle.

The buckle's main use was for attachment. The first probable use was for weapon or tool storage on a belt, girdle, or shoulder strap. Military usage was among most noted uses, but found its niche in many places of Roman society including agriculture, engineering and in fashion.