Birdheadhandles?

[Theodosius the Great]

The eagleheads as handles on swords are reserved for the emperor and his direct male family. There are several of these eagleheads known (for example on the statue in Venice and the statue of Germanicus), all from sculptures which represent the emperor, co-emperors or famliy members. Most of the are in bronze or stone, like the statue itself.

On the falcatae the heads most ofter represent horses.

Maarten

I'm sceptical about this assumption that an eagle-grip was an Imperial prerogative. It may in appear in Hellenistic art as well but I have to do some research.

I also remember reading a similar claim that only Emperors wore lion heads on their boots. This clearly isn't true because there's an equestrian relief showing the dismounted rider wearing the same type of boots.

Afaik, the only part of a general's garb that would indicate his Imperial status would have been a purple cloak. And there's this latest find of a septre from the early 4th century but I don't know if an Emperor would normally parade with it in his military attire.

You could be right but , as I said, I'm sceptical at this point.

~Theo