Vitis and Phalerae Question

[jvrjenivs]

Do we know the reasons that would permit a centurion to wear phalerae? Were they a symbol of the rank, were they awarded for a particular deed, or were they part of spoils that a centurion would have acquired?

The reason to wear phalerae (and other rewards) is that you (or your warband) have won them, mostly for being a good soldier or a brave act. Although there is a tendency to connect phalerae with the centurionate, and smaller set with standard bearers, we've also sources for regular soldiers which were awarded the honour to wear them.

The Armilla often seen in a set of phalerae seems to have originated from war booty (torques, etc), but were later included in the official reward system, it seems.

2. Do we know anything about the length of the vitis? I know it could be soaked in brine for additional sting, but was it finished in any way, or was it simply a raw vine stick?

I don't think so. There are some stele showing them, from which a relative length could be determined, but this is always open to artistic licence.