Identity of these signa

[Praefectusclassis]

Hi there,<br>
I looked up Von Domaszewski's article on the signa in Aufsätze zur römischen Heeresgeschichte (Darmstadt 1972).<br>
The bird is indeed similar to the ones on the Praetorian signa.<br>
However, according to him (p.58.) praetorian signa carry the imago of the emperor. He points to Tacitus, Historiae 1.41 and Herodian 8.5.9 and the 'Trajanssäule' to prove this. And here it is missing!<br>
There are coronae classicae among the Praetorian signa (that is: Von D. recognizes them as such) but they seem to be very different in shape and are always higher up on the signa. That's only logical, for a Corona Navalis is a much higher decoration than the phalera that are depicted above the prow on this signum.<br>
Phalerae are very scarce visibile on the Praetorian signa.<br>
So, no Praetorian standard it seems, but what then?<br>
A possible solution is a bit farther in the article, p.75-76. On page 76 three coins of the Speculatores are depicted that have images that look remarkably alike to the above signa. However only the leftmost coin (without any eagles and a badly visible prow) shows the text C[o]hortis Speculatorum, the others only SC. Which, sadly, doesn't mean Speculatores Caesari, but Senatus Consultum.<br>
<br>
<img src="http://www.jloorthuys.myweb.nl/Webmapje/Muntspeculatores.jpg"><br>
<br>
So, any speculator-specialists here? Any thoughts? And what have speculatores to do with ships?<br>
<br>
Greets<br>
<br>
Jasper<br>
<br>
<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/ujasperoorthuys.showPublicProfile?language=EN>Jasper Oorthuys</A> at: 8/2/01 4:32:04 pm<br></i>