Medieval Fibulae
Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank
Meant to be worn
Fibulae (singular: fibula) are most commonly associated today with the medieval Germanic tribes migrating across Europe in the 5th to 7th centuries, but they were not unique to these groups. The peoples of these Germanic tribes included the Franks, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Huns, and Lombards.
This video explains what a fibula is and how it was decorated.
Merovingian looped fibulae
Early medieval Europe, mid-6th century CE, silver gilt worked in filigree, with inlays of garnets and other stones.
Video chapters
0:00 What is a fibula?
0:32 Fibulae and the Germanic tribes in the Middle Ages
1:13 Fibulae forms, materials, and functions
Learn more
Watch an in-depth video about eagle fibulae from Visigothic Spain.
Find more AP Art History resources.
Learn more about medieval Europe.
