Signum (Rome)
A signum ( Latin ; plural signa ) was the standard of Roman troop units. In particular, the Manipel standard was called the signum . It originally had the shape of a wooden hand on a pole and was later supplemented by a flag ( vexillum ) on a cross pole , this in turn by a metal plate with the name of the unit.
In addition, signum was the collective name for all types of standard of the Roman army , in particular the legionary eagle and the vexilla (plural of vexillum ) of the cohorts .
In all Roman character field with the exception of Aquilae (legion Adler) discoidal were Awards that had received the respective unit, mounted on the rod.
Use
- orientation
The soldiers of a manipel were able to gather around their standard in battle and thus did not lose touch with their comrades. Only the bravest soldiers were selected as signifiers (standard bearers) for this task , so this was a special award.
- motivation
Similar to a banner , the sign was probably also a source of motivation and the loss a sign of shame. In battle there was therefore bitter fighting for the enemy's standard, while one's own had to be defended at all costs.
gallery
Replica of a legionary eagle
Replica of a sign
Replica of a sign (detail)
Replicas of legionary eagle and signum
Among the Signa there were also those with SPQR national emblems (see No. 35)
literature
- Stefan Zehetner: The Signifer. Position and tasks in the Imperial Army. VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, Saarbrücken 2011, ISBN 978-3-639-33690-0 (Partly also: Vienna, University, diploma thesis, 2009).
- Joachim Ott: The Beneficiarier. Investigations into their position within the hierarchy of the Roman army and their function (= Historia . Individual writings. 92). Franz Steiner, Stuttgart 1995, ISBN 3-515-06660-8 (At the same time: Frankfurt am Main, Universität, dissertation, 1993; limited preview in the Google book search, [accessed on July 20, 2015]).
Web links
- Legionary eagle and standard. Varus battle in the Osnabrück region: the Roman army. In: Varus Battle. Museum und Park Kalkriese, accessed July 20, 2015 .