Roman Metals: Iron, Bronze and Lead

Ep: 006 - Roman Metals: One Million Nails

The Romans used a wide variety of metals, both ferrous and non-ferrous.

Iron, lead, bronze, brass, tin and copper were all commonly used by the Romans.

For structural connections, plumbing, door handles, decorative elements or any other practical use, in or for the home, the Romans had a solution!

This Episodes Instagram image link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DU6MQ-JjVgl/

Roman Metal Terms: Latin → English

• Ferrum → Iron
• Plumbum → Lead
• Stannum → Tin
• Aes → Copper alloy (bronze or brass)
• Cuprum → Copper
• Cadmia → Zinc ore (used to make brass)
• Argentum → Silver
• Aurum → Gold
• Clavus → Nail
• Fibula → Fastener / clasp (sometimes a clamp)
• Fistula → Pipe (usually lead)
• Aes coronarium → Thin decorative bronze sheet
• Aerugo → Verdigris (green corrosion on copper alloys)

Note:

The Romans did not separate “bronze” and “brass” the way we do today. Both were usually called aes — meaning copper alloy.

Buy me a Coffee

Bluesky

Instagram

Follow:

Acast

Apple

Patreon

Spotify

Music Happy harp 6109353

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.