Vexillarius
Vexillarius (from Latin vexillarius, from vexillum — banner, standard) is the name of a standard-bearer in the Roman army. A vexillarius carried a standard with the emblem and number of the military unit, attached to a transverse bar on a long staff. Vexilla were usually the banners of individual military units, including those operating outside the legion - hence the name of such units - vexillations. Vexilla could also be held by cavalrymen, auxiliaries, and Praetorian cohorts.
Vexillarii from a bas-relief from Adamklisi,early 2nd century AD.
The vexillary. Hadrian's Wall. Stored in the Chester Museum. 3rd century AD
Captive barbarians before the emperor. Vexillariev is seen in the background. Relief on the south side of Attica. Marble. 175-196 ADThe vexillum itself was a rectangular cloth made of wool or linen, often with an angular design. The center of the vexillum depicted the symbol of the legion and/or its initials. It is assumed that the design could be painted or embroidered. Currently, only one surviving vexillum has been found, dated to the 2nd-3rd centuries AD. It depicts the goddess of victory on a sphere - Victoria. Inventory number IG-4242. I.1.a 5800. The banner shows a painted image of the goddess of victory on a sphere. Material - linen. Size - 53 by 51 cm. A rectangular piece of cloth is sewn onto a reed stick. The banner is described as Roman.
Vexilla. Flax,reeds. Pushkin Museum. 2-3 century ADAn external distinction of the vexillarius was a bear or wolf skin worn over the helmet with the paws tied around the neck. Praetorian vexillarii wore a lion skin. Their armament consisted of a gladius and pugio, as well as a small round shield - a parma, which was worn on a strap at the side. The armor of the vexillarius was a lorica hamata or squamata.
Vexillarium,reconstructionRelated topics
Legion Banner Group, Legion, Aquilifer, Signifer, Roman Army helmets, Gladius, Full name, Lorica Hamata, Lorica Squamata, Parma
Marcus Aurelius. Vexilli are visible in the background. 2nd century AD
The Aurelian Column. Second half of the 2nd century AD
The Aurelian Column. Second half of the 2nd century AD
Standard bearer of the late Roman Empire. Aosta Cathedral Treasure Museum. 4th-5th century AD
Trajan's column in Rome. Early 2nd century
Bas-relief depicting a vexilla attached to a spear. 1st century BC-1st century AD
Vexilla. Flax,reeds. Pushkin Museum. 2-3 century AD
Vexilla Cohors XX Palmyrenorum. Image from Dura Europos. First half of the 3rd century AD
Sacrifice of Julius Terrentius, military tribune of Coh XX, and his soldiers. The vexillary. Mural of Dura-Europos, 210-230sInterested in Ancient Rome beyond reading? Join Legio X Fretensis or explore our reenactment directions.
