04-26-2009, 05:48 PM
Where can I learn about the origins and early history of the Roman vexillum-type standards (a square flag suspended from a cross-piece attached to a pole)? I know of sources like tombstones and reliefs from the empire, but not much before then from Roman territory. Hellenistic armies used similar standards by the start of the 2nd century BCE and it would be interesting to know whether the Romans imitated them.
What I do know about Republican vexilla is:
- Vexillum is the diminutive of velum, a word for a stretched or dangling cloth. So presumably early vexilla incorporated a flag just like later ones did.
- Livy 8.8 refers to vexilla in his description of the “Camillian” army
- The Oxford Classical Dictionary says that vexilla were used by cavalry units from the Republican period onwards, and by legionary detachments during the empire
What I do know about Republican vexilla is:
- Vexillum is the diminutive of velum, a word for a stretched or dangling cloth. So presumably early vexilla incorporated a flag just like later ones did.
- Livy 8.8 refers to vexilla in his description of the “Camillian” army
- The Oxford Classical Dictionary says that vexilla were used by cavalry units from the Republican period onwards, and by legionary detachments during the empire
Nullis in verba
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
