A signifer ( Latin: [ˈsɪŋnɪfɛr]) was a standard bearer of the Roman legions. He carried a signum ( standard) for a cohort or century. Each century had a signifer so there were 60 in a legion. Within each cohort, the first century's signifer would be the senior one. The -fer in signifer comes from ferre, the Latin for 'to bear' or 'to carry'. A standard-bearer, also known as a colour-bearer or flag-bearer, is a person who bears an emblem known as a standard or military colours, i.e. either a type of flag or an inflexible but mobile image, which is used (and often honoured) as a formal, visual symbol of a state, prince, military unit, etc. [1] This can either be an occasional duty, of.
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An aquila ( Classical Latin: [ˈakᶣɪla]; lit. ' eagle ') was a prominent symbol used in ancient Rome, especially as the standard of a Roman legion. A legionary known as an aquilifer, the "eagle-bearer", carried this standard. Each legion carried one eagle. An aquilifer ( Latin: [aˈkᶣɪlɪfɛr], "eagle-bearer") was a soldier signifer bearing the eagle standard of a Roman legion. The name derives from the type of standard, aquila, meaning "eagle" (which was the universal type used since 106 BC), and ferre, the Latin word for bringing or carrying. The Roman Standard (Latin: Signum or Signa Romanum) was a pennant, flag, or banner, suspended or attached to a staff or pole, which identified a Roman legion (infantry) or Equites (cavalry). The Standard of a cavalry unit was emblazoned with the symbol of the serpent ( Draconarius) while a legion of infantry was represented by a totemic animal. Soldiers could hold different roles within the Roman Army. One role a soldier could have was to be a standard bearer. Being the standard bearer of the whole cohort was a position of honour, and only the best would be picked. Standard bearers were paid more money, but they also had other duties.
Roman Vexillarius (standard bearer)
Roman Standards & Standard-Bearers (1): 112 BC-AD 192 Raffaele D'Amato Bloomsbury Publishing, Jan 25, 2018 - History - 64 pages Roman unit standards played a important role, both. Download Full Size Image. A fragment of a relief depicting a Roman standard -bearer (signifer). The soldier is depicted wearing a lion-skin cap over a highly decorated Attic style helmet. Marble. 1st or 2nd Century CE, Julio-Claudian or Trajanic dynasties. 35 cm (13.8 in) x 34.2 cm (13.5 in). (Courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. A signifer was a standard bearer of the Roman legions. He carried a signum for a cohort or century. Each century had a signifer so there were 60 in a legion. Within each cohort, the first century's signifer would be the senior one. The -fer in signifer comes from ferre, the Latin for "to bear" or "to carry". The Late Roman Empire was a period of significant change in the designs of standards and in the costumes of standard-bearers. During the middle decades of the chaotic 3rd century, evidence confirms the continued use of the old legionary eagle and the signa of the old cohorts and centuries, alongside flags and Imperial images. The two major trends over the later generations were the adoption of.
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Assembly, The Creative. " Roman Officers & Standard-Bearers ." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 22 Mar 2021. Web. 21 Dec 2023. Advertisement. An artist's representation of how frontline officers and legionaries of the Roman army may have looked in action. Roman standards were held in awe and fiercely protected. They were symbols of Roman honour. A standard is a long pole with badges or flags on. The Badge The standard which most closely resembles the modern flag is the vexillum, a small square piece of cloth attached to a cross-bar carried on a pole.
In Rome, the standards were an important part of the army. The Roman Standards contained many symbols: an eagle, a god, the Emperor, a wolf, a Minotaur, a horse, a boar, a ram, and others. The eagle was the symbol of the Roman legion. The standard bearer was called the Signifer. Standards for Roman Army Gold stater coin, Roman Republic, 225-212 BC. Once they took the oath (sacramentum), recruits could no longer back out and most were committed to serve in the army for at least 25 years. Even citizen soldiers lost their rights to legally contest military discipline involving corporal and capital punishment.
Roman Legionary Standard Bearer Aqualifer, First Legion wearing lion pelt Stock Photo Alamy
The Late Roman Empire was a period of significant change in the designs of standards and in the costumes of standard-bearers. During the middle decades of the chaotic 3rd century, evidence confirms the continued use of the old legionary eagle and the signa of the old cohorts and centuries, alongside flags and Imperial images. The Roman Standard (Signa) was essentially a way of communicating field actions in battle. A source of pride to the Roman legion or cavalry, the Roman Standard Bearer was also a primary target of the opposing side. A good Standard Bearer could easily be granted hero status by rallying the troops. Roman Standards were often emblazoned with an.
