Cingulum is the proper term in Latin for a soldier's belt, which went round the waist. Therein it differed from the balteus, which nearly always went over the left shoulder and under the right arm, and to which the sword was attached.

The Roman soldier's belt is primarily ornamental signified rank of officers and soldiers was called a Cingulum Militaire. The belt was comprised of a studded leather belt with varying numbers of hanging leather strips that were sometimes heavily decorated metal discs and rings.

The plate-covered belt popularly called a cingulum was actually known as a balteus. In the mid-first century AD a single belt to support the dagger was most common, but the two crossed belts worn in Augustan times still appeared. It is clear that the balteus was a valuable personal posession.

A cingulum militare was a piece of ancient Roman military gear in the form of a belt embellished with metal fittings that was worn as a badge of military status by soldiers and officials.

The common modern image of the Belt of Truth is based on the Roman cingulum militaire: the belt which is worn on the outside of a soldier’s armor. This belt helps to secure the breastplate and also holds the soldier’s scabbard (sword-holder) in place.