08-05-2010, 12:50 PM
Centurions are often portrayed in battle gear wearing their phalerae (medals), usually nine. (See the cover of Ancient Warfare's 2010 Special Issue and the detail of Quintus Sertorius Festus' tombstone.) No one else ever has any. Since some of those commemorated successful campaigns or battles, you'd think many veterans had a few. (AW's centurion issue has one illustration ( p.19) of an centurion with his deputy, but the optio has no medals.) Of course, the centurion would have more. Were only Centurions allowed to display them? Did others have to hide them in their kit until their promotion?
What were the criteria and frequency of such awards? Were they unique to each occasion (a particular battle) or varied only by metal (gold, silver, bronze like modern Olympic medals) or were there classes (like the range of military decorations within a given nation or service)?
What were the criteria and frequency of such awards? Were they unique to each occasion (a particular battle) or varied only by metal (gold, silver, bronze like modern Olympic medals) or were there classes (like the range of military decorations within a given nation or service)?
"Fugit irreparabile tempus" (Irrecoverable time glides away) Virgil
Ron Andrea
Ron Andrea
