Fidelius Bellicus, a 

Faithful Warrior, contemplates the  
Symbol of the Order
in fide et in bello fortis
Fortius Quo Fidelius


I've named the sculpture that you see above, Fidelius Bellicus. The agnomen or name by which Roman men were called by their friends and family

"Fidelius", means "faithful" or "loyalty". The cognomen or name which described some characteristic of the person, and was added later in life of "Bellicus" means "Warrior" In this photo, Fidelius holds clutched in his hand the Medal of the Order on a golden cord. His eyes are turned toward the Medal, as if in contemplation of its meaning or to display a "pearl" of great worth. The Medal has the symbol of the Order, with crossed "Gladius" swords and the "Vitis" staff, stacked beneath the thorny crown of Jesus Christ. On either side are the Greek letters Alpha and Omega from Revelation when Jesus said "I am the beginning and the end". The symbol is surrounded by the Motto, Name, and Battle Cry of the Order in Latin. Below the phtograph is the prayer, "in fide et in bello forte," meaning "Strength in faith and battle". "Fortius Quo Fidelius" means "Strength through Loyaty"

This figure was sculpted in the 19th Century. It is cast in pewter. it was from Europe and was made in about 1875. Fidelius wears a breastplate with a horse rampant (perhaps Cavalry.) Breastplates were normally for high-ranking officers. Fidelius wears the "Military Belt" which was a sign for all Roman soldiers. His only visible weapon is a battle axe. His right arm extends upward, and his hand forms a hollow through which a cord may be passed. Their is no indication of what, if anything, that Fidelius held in 1875, but I suppose it was the same as he does now: a medal.

Finis