Roman Shield Boss

Copper alloy rectangular shield centre with circular boss, coated with tin, and decorated by incised and pounced lines. The central boss is decorated with an eagle holding an olive branch and surrounded by a wreath. The border is of 8 panels. In each corner is a figure representing one of the Four Seasons; above is Mars, below a bull, the badge of the 8th Legion. In the margins are two legionary standards, and the following words incised into the metal along the left side:
LEG VIII AVG
IVL(II) MAGNI IVNI(I) DUBITATI

The shield thus belonged to Junius Dubitatus, who served in the century of Julius Magnus in the Eighth Legion Augustus, in Britain under Hadrian. It was discovered in 1866 during dredging to widen and deepen the River Tyne. It is believed it was lost in a shipwreck.
It is believed that Junius was an ordinary soldier in the Eighth Legion, based in Germany and sent over to Britain to provide extra manpower for a war against the native Britons. It looks likely that Junius was heading into the Tyne from Germany when a storm broke and his ship sank. No trace of the vessel has ever been found and no-one knows what became of Junius although it is likely he went down with the ship.

From the 'Legion - Life in the Roman Army' exhibition.