Bronze statuette of Mars

This accomplished casting, enlivened with silver inlay, is the finest bronze figurine of Mars from Roman Britain. The Roman god of war is shown in characteristic warlike attire. He wears the armour of a general - an elaborate helmet, sheet metal leg guards (greaves) decorated with thunderbolts and an embossed chest plate (cuirass) moulded to the form of the body. He would originally have held a spear and shield.