Definition: Spolia
Spolia is the Latin for booty or plunder, which can also be specified as Praeda, Manubiae, and Exuviae. Properly, spolia should be restricted to plundered weapons and armor.
The most important spolia were the spolia opima. Spolia opima refers to the plundered weapons and armor taken by the Roman commander-in-chief from the enemy king. Examples of this are the spolia opima of Romulus won from King Acro, the spolia opima of Aulus Cornelius Cossus won from the king of the Veientes, and the spolia opima won by M. Claudius Marcellus from King Britomartus of the Insubrian Gauls. The spoils of these victories were all dedicated to Jupiter Feretrius.
Examples:
Marcellus became the third and last person in Roman history to be awarded the spolia opima for having killed the enemy general (King Britomartus of the Insubrian Gauls) himself and despoiled him of his armor.
