Signifer
Signifer (Latin signum — sign,ferre-to carry) - a type of standard-bearer in the ancient Roman army,who carried the emblem of the cohort,maniple and century-signum. Each century in the legion had its own signifer,respectively,in the legion there were 59 people. The cohort's signifer was the signifer of its first century. The signifer of the first cohort of the first century,called the aquilifer,bore the aquila,which is sometimes considered the highest badge of the legion itself. The century's Signifer was also the treasurer and was responsible for paying the legionaries ' salaries,securing their savings,and providing financial support for the unit.
Tombstone of Lucius Ducius Rufinus,Signifer of the IX Legion. A museum in Yorkshire. 2nd century AD
Tombstone of the standard bearer-Signifer Pinatius. Rhenish Museum of Local Lore,Bonn,Germany. 1st century AD
Tombstone of Signifer Quintus Lucius Faustus. Mainz. First half of the 1st century ADThe signum is a long wooden shaft on which many ornaments are placed: often "medals" of a disc-shaped shape,similar to faleras,as well as in the form of a crescent or wreath. These distinctions were awarded to the corresponding division. Also,a sign with the name and number of the unit was attached to the shaft. At the top of it was a spear tip or a three-dimensional figure depicting an open palm in a round wreath-manus (Latin manus). It symbolized the oath of allegiance given by legionnaires. There is a version that signums with a palm belonged to maniples,with a pommel in the form of a spear-to cohorts and centuries.
Roman banners from a funerary or ceremonial monument in Rome (Chiesa di San Marcello al Corso,Roma). III century AD
Signals from the sarcophagus of Matteotti. A.D. 150-170
Roman banners from a funerary or ceremonial monument in Rome (Chiesa di San Marcello al Corso,Roma). III century ADThe main difference between Signifer and other representatives of the legion's banner group was a bear or wolf skin,worn over a helmet,with paws tied around the neck. The face could be covered by a mask. Signifer was armed with a gladius and pugio. The Signiferi used a lorica hamata or squamata as protective equipment Lorica hamata Lorica squamata,as well as a small round parma shield Parma,which was worn on the side on a belt.
Related topics
Legion Banner Group,Aquilifer,Vexillarius,Imaginifer,Disguise
Tombstone to Signifer C. Valerius Secundus from legio XIV Gemina. Mainz,1st-2nd century AD
Tombstone to Signifer C. Valerius Secundus from legio XIV Gemina. Mainz,1st-2nd century AD
Tombstone to Signifer C. Valerius Secundus from legio XIV Gemina. Mainz,1st-2nd century AD
Tombstone to Signifer C. Valerius Secundus from legio XIV Gemina. Mainz,1st-2nd century AD
Tombstone to Signifer C. Valerius Secundus from legio XIV Gemina. Mainz,1st-2nd century AD
Tombstone to Signifer C. Valerius Secundus from legio XIV Gemina. Mainz,1st-2nd century AD
Tombstone to Signifer C. Valerius Secundus from legio XIV Gemina. Mainz,1st-2nd century AD
Tombstone to Signifer C. Valerius Secundus from legio XIV Gemina. Mainz,1st-2nd century AD
Tombstone of Signifer Quintus Lucius Faustus. Mainz. First half of the 1st century AD
Tombstone of Signifer Quintus Lucius Faustus. Mainz. First half of the 1st century AD
Tombstone of Signifer Quintus Lucius Faustus. Mainz. First half of the 1st century AD
Tombstone of Signifer Quintus Lucius Faustus. Mainz. First half of the 1st century AD
Tombstone of Signifer Quintus Lucius Faustus. Mainz. First half of the 1st century AD
Tombstone of Signifer Quintus Lucius Faustus. Mainz. First half of the 1st century AD
Tombstone of Signifer Quintus Lucius Faustus. Mainz. First half of the 1st century AD
Tombstone of Signifer Tiberius Julius Pancuius. Clemens-Sels-Museum,Neuss. AD 20-50
Bas-relief with signals. Capitalian Museum of Rome. Second half of the 1st century AD
Signals from Trajan's column. Early 2nd century AD
Signals from Trajan's column. Early 2nd century AD
Fragment of the bronze statue of Signifer. 1-3 century AD
Signals from Trajan's column. Early 2nd century AD
Mural of Signa. Villa "Casale,Piazza Armerina" 3-4 century AD
Signa made of bronze with a palm. Auction house in Munich. 2-3 century AD
Stele of MARCUS PACCIUS MARCELLUS. 1st century AD
Stele of MARCUS PACCIUS MARCELLUS. 1st century AD
Stele of M. Pompeio Aspro,Centurion and later Prefect of Castrum,who served in Legio XV Apollinares,Cohors III Praetoria,Legio III Cyrenaica,Legio XX Valeria Victrix. 1-3 century ADInterested in Ancient Rome beyond reading? Join Legio X Fretensis or explore our reenactment directions. Reenactment
