12-11-2007, 07:22 PM
It's possible that even the Romans of the Empire didn't know the exact significance of some of the parts of the signum. Like many religious ceremonies, there were some VERY archaic aspects whose origins may simply have been forgotten or mis-remembered by that time.
I think the "cup" at the bottom is a modern exaggeration of what is actually just a tassle. It's been a long time since I did any research, but as I recall it seemed that Trajan's Column wasn't showing a solid cup at all, even though they are often interpreted as such (particularly in Victorian reproductions of the carvings). Don't remember what I saw on grave stelae!
Matthew
I think the "cup" at the bottom is a modern exaggeration of what is actually just a tassle. It's been a long time since I did any research, but as I recall it seemed that Trajan's Column wasn't showing a solid cup at all, even though they are often interpreted as such (particularly in Victorian reproductions of the carvings). Don't remember what I saw on grave stelae!
Matthew
Matthew Amt (Quintus)
Legio XX, USA
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.larp.com/legioxx/">http://www.larp.com/legioxx/
Legio XX, USA
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