Phalearae on Standards

[Matthew Amt]

If a cohort were sent somewhere as a unit, they would take with them a vexillium, which would bear:
a. The legion number on the banner?

Right, if I recall correctly, depictions of the vexillum either have just lettering, namely the legion number, or nothing at all (cuz the paint is gone!). I don't know if there is evidence for a cohort number on the vexillum. Of course, that is all completely NOT backed up by the only surviving vexillum, which has a painted figure of Victory and no lettering at all!

b. A plaque or plate with the cohort number?

Hoo, probably not on the vexillum. Such a plate might have been part of the signum, though it doesn't seem to have been a requirement, as it were.

c. An emblem of some kind harkening back to the original (animal, raised hand, wreath) unit?
d. A spear head? (At least one account describes a soldier using a signum of some type to stab an attacker)

I thought the vexillum is usually shown with a spearhead for a finial, though I suppose the legion's zodiac animal is an option. Sometimes the signum is topped with a hand, otherwise a spearhead.

The whole reason for this line of questioning is that our separated unit (200 miles from the HQ) wants to have something for the times when we come together, and especially for the times we have some kind of public display separated from the parent group. Easier to explain a vexillium when there's one for the public to see/handle. I'm not in the mode of "let's do this just because we think it's cool", honest.

We've got a vexillum and a signum. The vexillum I made before one of our early events, simply to have something to display, and it has served well. The signum can have a cohort number on it. A vexillum is certainly simple, and easy to transport, but the signum generates plenty of questions and discussion. And it IS cool to have, no mistake! I mean, that's kind of the basis for the whole hobby, though I certainly understand what you mean.

Good luck!

Matthew