late roman vexila/um

[Lvcivs Commodvs Cicero]

So what would appear on a Late Roman vexilum a simple chi rho or something more elaborate like a painting of the current emperor?

[Paulus Claudius Damianus]

Maybe the color of the legio episem and the number of the century.

Late military standart:

eagle = Legio

Draco = Cohors

Vexillum = Century

Flamula = Late Manipula.

Labarum (with chi-rho) = Personnal chrestian Imperor standart.

[John Conyard]

Written accounts suggest the chi rho. But you can add gems and precious metal!

[Lvcivs Commodvs Cicero]

John, do you have said written accounts references so I can look them up?

Thanks

Paulus thanks

[Theodosius the Great]

Ave Cicero,

Do you have 'The Late Roman Army' by Southern & Dixon ?

It mentions that the vexillum consisted of a square piece of purple or red material, fringed along the lower edge, and hung from a crossbar attached to a lance. The only known example with a painted figure of Victory was found in Egypt.

The book shows two artifacts which depict vexilla. One from the third century is a bronze roundel (possibly an officer's badge) which depicts solders, animals, and two vexilla.

The other artifact is from the fourth century. It's a glass beaker from Cologne depicting four soldiers carrying decorated oval shields and two spears. Between each solder stands a vexillum which all appear to feature chi-ro designs.

~Theo

[Lvcivs Commodvs Cicero]

Ave Theo,

Don't believe I picked that one up yet. Although all my books are in moving boxes getting ready for Puerto Rico. I think it's on my list of to buys.

Thanks for the info.

Cicero

[Theodosius the Great]

The relevant pages can be seen below.

They're not much to go on to make a replica. So I guess that leaves room for some creativity. Luckily you're a very talented artisan :wink:

Good luck.

~Theo

[Lvcivs Commodvs Cicero]

Thanks Theo,

I guess I could look up portraits/sculpture/mosaics of the 4th century emperors and see if I could do them justice like the Venus on the back of my shield.

Cicero

[Theodosius the Great]

No problem.

Maybe this 5th century mosaic of Christ can be an inspiration.
The Latin inscription might be cool to use as well. I think it reads "I am the way, the truth, and the life"



~Theo

[Lvcivs Commodvs Cicero]

I guess the only other question would be what material should I make it out of linen or wool?

[Theodosius the Great]

I guess the only other question would be what material should I make it out of linen or wool?

According to M.C. Bishop and Coulston, the vexillum recovered from Egypt is made of linen. It is rectangular, measuring "0.47 m high, 0.50 m wide".

And here is a photo of a vexillumfrom the Dura frescoes in full color. (you have to download it)

BTW, I've seen some groups use leather. More expensive, sure, but more durable too. Theirs were studded with brass letters 8)

Good luck, Cicero.

~Theo

[Paulus Claudius Damianus]

Or silk!

It is for a labarum standart or a vexillum unit?

[Lvcivs Commodvs Cicero]

Unfortunately I can't dload that pic from here. I'll try later to see if I can get it.

I don't think I will use leather though its a good idea.

I'll assume a vexilation would be a smaller unit than the other. So most likely the bigger one.

Silk sounds cool. I may just use that. I wounder if ther ever used weighted bottoms like a metal rod sewn in to it to keep it from flopping around in the breeze.

[Theodosius the Great]

The Dura fresco can been seen on this page (scroll down a bit)

http://www.legion-regensburg.de/hist/Kap09.htm

The fresco dates to the 240s A.D.

I wonder if the vexillum has letters on it - hard to tell from the worn fresco.
:?

~Theo

[Lvcivs Commodvs Cicero]

I went to a fabric store today and they didn't have any red 100% linen or silk so I'll check around a different one tomorrow. I may just do one chi rho and another portrait.

I just thought of something else what should I use for the fringe at the bottom? Can this be bought like this.