Aplustrum
An aplustrum (Latin: aplustre), or Aflaston (from Greek), is a decorative extension of the stern of a ship, often resembling the tail of a rooster. Besides rooster tails, aplustra sometimes took the form of a goose or swan's head, which is why they were also known as anserculum (Latin: anserculus) – little goose. Aplustra, like the hull, were brightly painted. Homer, for example, referred to Odyssey fleet as "red-cheeked" (Homer, Iliad, II, v. 637) and "Black" (Homer, Iliad, II, v. 644; 652).
Aplustr. Reproduced from Sheffer J. De milita navali veterum. Ubsaliae, 1654. P. 157
Various forms of aplusters. Reproduced from Sheffer J. De milita navali veterum. Ubsaliae, 1654. P. 159During the battle, aplustr was defended as fiercely as the banner of the century, which in fact was the ship. Aplustras were often taken as war trophies. This is also reported by Juvenal: "... and the banner of the defeated trireme " (Juv., 10, 134-136).
Image of aplustr on the coin. Reproduced from Sheffer J. De milita navali veterum. Ubsaliae, 1654. P. 125Related topics
Castrum, Trireme, Sternpost, History of the Republican Fleet of ancient Rome
Literature
- Sheffer J. De militia navali veterum. Ubsalie 1654. P. 125.
- "History of the Military Fleets of Rome and Byzantium"; Bannikov, Morozov; St. Petersburg, 2014; pages 64, 65.
