The standard was a recognition signal and a rallying point within the chaos of a battlefield. For this it was highly important for the standards to be recognizable at a glance.
The different types of standards include: The Aquila, The Vexillum, The Manus, The Imago, The Draco. Click above for details about each type of Standard.
potent symbols of Roman honor. Represented the honor of the unit and Rome itself
important in pitching and striking camp. The first step in setting a camp was to stake the standard into the ground and it would be put in the center of the camp
Veteran Legionaries who had been in service for at least 20 years usually carried the standard. The "Aquilifer" bore the Aquila, while the "Imaginifer" carried the Imago. The "Signifer" to carried the Signum/Manus, the "Vexillarius" carried the Vexillum and The "Draconarius" carried the Draco. They usually wore maile armor with the hide of an animal.
The different types of standards include: The Aquila, The Vexillum, The Manus, The Imago, The Draco. Click above for details about each type of Standard.
potent symbols of Roman honor. Represented the honor of the unit and Rome itself
important in pitching and striking camp. The first step in setting a camp was to stake the standard into the ground and it would be put in the center of the camp
Veteran Legionaries who had been in service for at least 20 years usually carried the standard. The "Aquilifer" bore the Aquila, while the "Imaginifer" carried the Imago. The "Signifer" to carried the Signum/Manus, the "Vexillarius" carried the Vexillum and The "Draconarius" carried the Draco. They usually wore maile armor with the hide of an animal.
Fun fact:
One of the reasons for the Roman campaign in Germania following the defeat of Varus in the Teutoburger Wald was for the army to recover the lost standards of the defeated legions. Emperor Augustus also threatened war against Persia to ensure the standards last at Carrhae by Crassus were returned.
One of the reasons for the Roman campaign in Germania following the defeat of Varus in the Teutoburger Wald was for the army to recover the lost standards of the defeated legions. Emperor Augustus also threatened war against Persia to ensure the standards last at Carrhae by Crassus were returned.