The Sword of Tiberius
- Gallery: Room 70
- Culture: Roman
- Date: 15 (circa)
- Object type: sword, sword-sheath
- Materials: bronze; iron; tin; gold
- Museum number: 1866,0806.1
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
"This is 'The Sword of Tiberius,' a Roman artifact from around 15 AD. Before you stands a decorated iron sword, paired with a bronze scabbard that is both tin-plated and gilded. It was likely commissioned to honor a military achievement in Germany.
The scabbard's intricate designs depict a key moment in Roman imperial history. Augustus, shown in a pose of Jupiter, is flanked by Mars Ultor and Victory. Tiberius, dressed in military attire, presents Augustus with a small statue of Victory—symbolizing his act of relinquishing power.
Latin inscriptions tell part of the story. On a shield resting against Augustus, we read 'Felicitas Tiberi,' while on another, 'Victoria Augusti' is partly visible. These inscriptions emphasize victory and divine favor, central themes in Roman propaganda.
The iron blade, bronze sheath, and decorative gilding reveal the importance of this object both as a military tool and a political symbol from ancient Rome."
See it in person
The Sword of Tiberius is on display in Room 70 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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