Glass phalera (medallion) with imperial portraits

Unknown

early 1st century CE · Glass, blue · Greek and Roman Art

The central bust has been identified as the emperor Tiberius. He is flanked by Germanicus and Drusus the Younger, two younger members of the imperial family. Such medallions were worn as badges on military uniforms and were issued to promote a sense of identity within the army and of loyalty to the commander-in-chief, the emperor.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 1st century CE

Medium

Glass, blue

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917