Archaeologists have unearthed what they say are
the only existing imperial insignia belonging to
Emperor Maxentius ˜ precious objects that were buried
to preserve them and keep them from enemies when he
was defeated by his rival Constantine.

Excavation under Rome's Palatine Hill near the
Colosseum turned up items including three lances and
four javelins that experts said are striking for their
completeness ˜ digs usually turn up only fragments ˜
and the fact that they are the only known artifacts of
their kind.

Clementina Panella, the archaeologist who made the
discovery, said the insignia were likely hidden by
Maxentius' people in an attempt to preserve the
emperor's memory after he was defeated by Constantine
I in the 321 A.D. battle of the Milvian Bridge ˜ a
turning point for the history of the Roman empire
which saw Constantine become the unchallenged ruler of
the West.