irisharchaeology:This fragment of Roman hack silver was discovered in a gravel pit at Balline, Co. L
irisharchaeology:This fragment of Roman hack silver was discovered in a gravel pit at Balline, Co. Limerick in 1940. Dating from the 4th century AD, its origins lie in southern Britain and it may represent loot captured during Irish raids on the then declining Roman colony.It was part of hoard of Roman objects that included two hide-shaped ingots and parts of two others, as well as three pieces of hacked silver plate. Official Roman seals are present on three of the ingots and these bear the inscriptions ‘Ex offi Isatis, Ex ofc Vilis and Ex o non‘. Identical ingots and stamps are know from Kent in southern England and this may be where the pieces originated from. The three fragments of hack silver are derived from large Roman platters and are decorated in a variety of classical scenes and motifs.How the Balline hoard arrived in Limerick remains uncertain, although, as already mentioned, it may represent captured booty. Conversely, it is also possible that the pieces were given in payment to Irish mercenaries who were fighting on behalf of the Roman army.Source -- source link