Cornicen

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 tubicen. 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.

Role in the legion

The cornicen was part of the military signalling system without which a large unit was difficult to keep in order. A commander's voice could not carry over the noise of formation, march or battle, so sound commands helped transmit alarm, assembly, movement and changes of mode. The cornicen worked beside the standard group because standard and sound together gave soldiers a clear point of reference.

His function was not musical accompaniment in the modern sense, but service communication. The cornicen was not an isolated musician: he belonged to a military system in which the signifer, aquilifer, centurion and sound signal connected order, sign and unit movement.

Cornu and signals

The cornu differed from a straight trumpet in shape: its large curved body could be held around the body and project sound forward. This construction suited formation and ceremony, but required breath control and practice. Signals had to be short, recognizable and repeatable so that soldiers could understand them even in a noisy environment.

For a replica, outline is not enough: weight, balance, mouthpiece and carrying method matter. An overly heavy instrument is difficult to use while moving, while a decorative copy without sound explains the object poorly. The strongest display combines appearance, a short signal demonstration and an explanation of who gave the order and who had to hear it.

Difference from other musicians

The cornicen should be distinguished from the tubicen and bucinator. All are connected with sound signals, but instruments, context and usage differed. A straight trumpet, curved horn and other signal instruments produced different timbres, silhouettes and associations, so they cannot be reduced to one universal "horn".

This distinction is not merely a visual detail, but part of the military signalling system. The Roman army used several instruments for commands, ceremonies and camp life. The cornicen occupied the place connected with the cornu: its form, sound and position beside the standard group helped connect order, sign and unit movement.

Related topics

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

Literature

• E. V. Gertsman. Music of Ancient Greece and Rome.