Mainz Museums of Antiquity

Mainz grew on the site of Roman Mogontiacum, one of the key military centres on the Rhine. For the X-Legio library it is especially important: legionary bases, funerary monuments, militaria, civilian settlement finds and a tradition of scholarly reconstructions meet here.

Belt set with pugio,Mainz,1st century AD

Scales, Mainz, I century CE

Part of the tombstone of Gnaeus Musius,aquilifer of the fourteenth Legion with pugio. The tombstone is located in the Mainz Museum,1st century AD.

Collection and Significance

LEIZA continues the tradition of the Romano-Germanic Central Museum and works not only as a museum but also as research infrastructure. Mainz Landesmuseum is important for the local archaeology of Mogontiacum, while the Museum für Antike Schifffahrt is important for Roman ships, models and seafaring.

Main Materials

tombstones and images of soldiers;
belt sets, armour details, scales and footwear;
the Mainz Roman ships and river logistics;
local finds from Mogontiacum;
scholarly replicas where originals remain with their owners.

Context and Limits

Mainz is useful not only as a place of individual finds, but as context: a Rhine garrison town shows how military equipment is connected with transport, supply, epigraphy and urban life.