This is a survey of the cult places in Northern Gaul, the neighbouring ‘German’ area and Britannia that have yielded Roman weaponry and horse gear. The temple complexes (A) and open-air sanctuaries (B) are presented in chronological order, based on the typological datings of the ‘military’ finds. Wherever possible, in addition to a brief description of the finds, the specific find context and interpretations of the material are provided.

TEMPLE COMPLEXES

• 1.Matagne-la-Petite (Belgium). Period 1?

• The finds from this sanctuary, in use from the Augustan period to the mid-2nd century AD, include a late La Tène shield boss (fig. 5.8, nr. 1). The presence of the grip suggests that the iron boss was deposited as part of a complete shield. The shield may have belonged to a soldier from the earliest auxiliaries who were still partially armed with their own weapons.

• 2. Grand St. Bernard (Switzerland). Period 2

• Alongside spear- and lanceheads, two richly ornamented scabbard fittings of Mainz type gladii were found in a temple dedicated to Jupiter Poeninus on the Grand St. Bernard Pass. The weapons were probably votive offerings dedicated to Jupiter for a safe crossing. Over fifty votive plaques point to soldiers and civilians as possible dedicants. Three veterans are included among the civilians.

• 3. Harlow (Great Britain). Period 2

• A spearhead, lobate shoulder hinges from two different sets of plate armour, as well as three decorative fittings and a horse pendant were recovered from the sanctuary of Harlow (fig. 5.8, nrs. 2-8). The spearhead has a raised midrib and may be of pre-Roman origin. The remaining objects belong typologically to the 1st century AD, with the horse gear being partly Claudio-Flavian. Remains of the iron sheeting on the back of the armour hinges show that they were probably deposited as part of complete sets of armour. Although the earliest known temple was built around AD 80, given the context datings, the military finds appear to be associated with pre-Flavian and perhaps even pre- Roman forerunners. The military objects are interpreted as dedications by the soldiers themselves or as a collective offering of booty.