4th Century Roman Belt Ornament
By Rachel Mindell
It’s #tbt! Enjoy this great one from SWWIM Every Day‘s archives!
Less than two inches high or wide. Made of copper alloy and gilt, the buckle depicts two incredible happenings. On one side, a couple to be betrothed. The woman’s arm extended such that the man can grip her hand. Each has a right foot out. Above their heads, the Christogram sanctifies their union in an emerging faith. On the reverse, Bellerophon astride Pegasus slays the Chimera with lead on his spear, forcing it down her lion throat such that the dragon fire she breathes will melt it, gagging her, killing also her goat midsection and her snake behind. In each scene, a woman of parts is tamed. In each scene, the divine is invoked, be it the hovering miracle or the heroism of metal. What was the comfort of bearing both tales simultaneously at the belly when one must have always remained dominant, facing out. In this beginning, two things true and violent, one obscured. In the beginning, one always takes and another is taken.
Rachel Mindell is a writer living in Tucson, Arizona. She is the author of three chapbooks and poems scattered around the internet.
Last Call / Submit by 02/14/2026 to Sonnet Boom: Love Poems for Miami, a poetry contest brought to you by SWWIM, Elevate Miami, and O, Miami. Youth and adult categories. Cash prizes. Free to enter. See Submittable for complete guidelines.
02/12 / Poetry Reading and Conversation with visiting poet-in-residence Allison Blevins & local poets Carolina Hospital, Nicole Hospital-Medina, and Holly Iglesias / The BBar at The Betsy-South Beach, Miami Beach, FL / Live and Live-Streamed on Instagram Live/Facebook Live at @swwimmiami / 7-8:30 pm EST / Free
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