Kornitsen

Attention! The text below was auto-translated from Russian. You can switch the site language to Russian to see the text in its original language or wait until it is fully translated.

Cornicen was a legion trumpeter who played the kornu brass horn. They were standing next to the flag bearer, giving general warning sound commands.

Cornicene most likely served the same functions as bucinetor and tubucene . In the camp, they signaled the changing of the guard, the arrival of a legate, emperor, or general, as well as the announcement of various decrees and death sentences. On the march, he usually gave signals "to march", "to fight", "to drop anchor", etc. Kornitseny belonged to junior officers-principals.

Cornu (Latin cornu - horn) - otherwise Roman horn-wind musical instrument in ancient Rome.

Kornu resembled bucina, also had a rounded shape, but was longer — up to 3 meters. Most likely, the sounds of these two instruments were close to each other, both in timbre and strength. The cornu was probably used in the same way as the tuba and bucina to signal in the Roman army and at ceremonies.

The external distinction of Roman military musicians was an animal skin, draped over a helmet and tied with its front paws on the chest, like other representatives of the legion's banner group. The armament consisted of a gladius and a pugio. As a protective equipment, the Kornitsens used a lorica hamata or squamata, as well as a small round shield- parma, which was worn on the side on a belt.

Related topics

Legion Banner Group, Bucinator, Tubucene, Roman Army helmets, Gladius, Full name, Lorica Hamata, Lorica Squamata, Parma

Literature

E. V. Hertzman. Music of Ancient Greece and Rome

Gallery