4th/ 5th century vexillum

[AMELIANVS]

I think it is also worthy to note that vexilum flag remained in use until the very end of the Roman state during 15 century.Few examples:

[Virilis]

Is there a connection between the vexillum and the "mandylion" perhaps? (mandylion being the imprint of christ`s face on a cloth, which was carried to battle on a pole if I remember correctly?)

[AMELIANVS]

That is very likely-or At least icon was of a square shape and inded carried to battle on a pole being if not in action covered by precious purple fabric.There was however certainly more "Real" mandylions not made by human hand and it was of course used to booster Roman moral prior to and during battle but it does not work always so properly as incident where angry soldiers were throwing stones on that miraculous painting is also recorded :-)

[AMELIANVS]

Pretty sharp coin of Constans:

[Theodosius the Great]

Pavel,

I was going to mention the Barberini Diptych as well but after reading the wikipedia entry about it I'm convinced that it shows a lance instead of a vexillum. The fabric fluttering above it is simply an extension of the emperor's cloak.

The other examples look great though.

Thanks,

~Theo

[Caballo]

I agree- but one other thing. If you take Pavel's stunning photo of the Barberini photo and expand it , you can see the paint still remaining- especially the pupils of the eyes and also painted hair. Perhaps someone more technologically literate than me could take a screen shot of the expanded eye area?

Thanks to all for some great pictures- I'll try and put a chart together to try and summarise the designs.

[AMELIANVS]

Yeah I take Barberini back-it is evidently a cloak not a standard.So here is his head in bigger resolution(although it is more probable,I think,it is perhaps sediments rather then remaining color-maybe except his eyes-or is it only a shadow in hollows for eyes?Have no Idea:-(.Personally I believe that Justinian and Belisar are depicted on this wonderful piece.

I'm adding yet detailed description of Constantin's vexilum -miraculous labarum as described by Eusebius of Caesareia:

AT dawn of day he arose, and communicated the marvel to his friends: and then, calling together the workers in gold and precious stones, he sat in the midst of them, and described to them the figure of the sign he had seen, bidding them represent it in gold and precious stones. And this representation I myself have had an opportunity of seeing.

NOW it was made in the following manner. A long spear, overlaid with gold, formed the figure of the cross by means of a transverse bar laid over it. On the top of the whole was fixed a wreath of gold and precious stones; and within this, the symbol of the Saviour's name, two letters indicating the name of Christ by means of its initial characters, the letter P being intersected by X in its centre: and these letters the emperor was in the habit of wearing on his helmet at a later period(Pavel-documented also on coins or medaillon). From the cross-bar of the spear was suspended a cloth, a royal piece(Pavel-so presumably purple in color), covered with a profuse embroidery of most brilliant precious stones; and which, being also richly interlaced with gold, presented an indescribable degree of beauty to the beholder. ...

THE emperor constantly made use of this sign of salvation as a safeguard against every adverse and hostile power, and commanded that others similar to it should be carried at the head of all his armies

[Caballo]

Many thanks. Pulling the evidence so far together for Late Roman vexilla, I calculate:-
-horizontal fringe at bottom of vexillum - 13 (includes "danglies" as in Honorius diptych)
- vertical fringe on each side- 9
- no fringe 2 ( both in civilian context)
- side finials - 6
-top finial, no distinct design- 10
- top finial Chi rho design- 6
- Side straps - 3
- chi rho design on vexillum 3
- circle design (including 3 circles on Constantine's vexillum - 4
- head design 1 ( but old drawing of now lost coin)

In addition, there were several with no visible design, but this may have been painted on.

And re the Barberini , to me those pupils in the eye look like paint, not sediment. Great to see evidence of painted ivory- and thanks for posting.

[AMELIANVS]

VERY IMPORTANT DETAIL-in that description of Eusebius text in fact continues:

"Fabric was of a steady square shape and it bore the inscription.Bottom side of the lance pointing straight up and ended with cross with an inscription was significantly longer and it captured in gold bust of the pious emperor with his children."

So those medaillons or roundels inside of vexilum fabric are almost certainly stylized portraits of the members of imperial family(like metal imago from earlier times).

[AMELIANVS]

Otherwise although there certainly can be made some summarization from these pictures I had little doubt there were in fact vexila of all sizes colors and ornamentation different from one another in different times,units and regions only in details.The only definition which was constant is:Vexilum is squre shaped flag made (mostly)from fabric and freely(again-mostly)suspended from horizontal pole.

[Caballo]

"VERY IMPORTANT DETAIL-in that description of Eusebius text in fact continues:

"Fabric was of a steady square shape and it bore the inscription.Bottom side of the lance pointing straight up and ended with cross with an inscription was significantly longer and it captured in gold bust of the pious emperor with his children."

So those medaillons or roundels inside of vexilum fabric are almost certainly stylized portraits of the members of imperial family(like metal imago from earlier times). "

Very good point.

This would point towards the vexillum depicted in this coin

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...II_019.jpg

looking rather than like this...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...ljebok.png

than this

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...at.svg.png

[AMELIANVS]

Indeed thats it.

[Urselius]

However, the original labarum depicted Constantine and his two eldest sons - and Constantine later had his son Crispus executed. This would create a certain amount of difficulty in the subsequent use of Crispus' image. Personally, I think the three disc version of the labarum is probably connected with the Trinity.

[Cheyenne]

Just to add to this, Paul, your list of the 'finishes' available as decoration on Vexillums is interesting.

Here are some pictures of Pauls Vexillum I had added hand made fringing and edge braid to.

The finials are still being finished by another indivdual, and I will have pictures of those when they come through.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...=3&theater

[Caballo]

Thanks Claire- this all came out of various conversations we had!

Another one - poor pic I'm afraid.

Triumph of Licinius, Emperor 308-324 , cameo now in Bibliotheque Nationale de France. Vexillum with top and side finials, bottom and side fringes, and two head and shoulders- presumably the Emperor and co-Emperor?