Vitis

Vitis (Latin vitis - grapevine) — the status rod of a centurion made of grapevine. It served as a symbol of centurion power and was used for corporal punishment of legionnaires. Tacitus mentions a centurion who bore the nickname "Cedo Alteram" ("Give me another"),which he received because of the fact that he often broke vitis on the backs of guilty legionaries. He was eventually killed by legionnaires during a military mutiny. Vitis is a mandatory attribute of the centurion on all extant images. Even if the centurion did not have other regalia on the bas-reliefs (phalerae,helmet with a crest),he certainly held a vitis. Often,it is precisely by the presence of vitis that it is possible to determine the rank of the depicted military.

Badge of Rank

The vitis (Latin vitis) is the centurion's staff, traditionally associated with vine wood. In the Roman army it was not merely a stick but a visible sign of a junior officer's authority over his unit. With it a centurion could indicate direction, maintain order, and display disciplinary power.

Reconstruction

When making a vitis, moderate length, comfortable grip, and recognizable material or texture matter. The object should not become a heavy club: in the sources it functions as an officer's sign and practical command tool. In public demonstrations the vitis helps viewers distinguish a centurion from an ordinary legionary at once.

Literature

• Graham Webster, The Roman Imperial Army.
• M. C. Bishop, J. C. N. Coulston, Roman Military Equipment from the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome.
• Graham Sumner, Roman Military Dress.

Related topics

Centurion,Roman Army helmets,Phalerae

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