Identity of these signa

[mcbishop]

The dates suggested for this relief so far are only guesses based on stylistic grounds. I have always regarded it as being 1st century BC-early 2nd century AD, again on stylistic grounds, but also because later standards tend not be be so elaborate (not that there are many depictions of them). Caution is also necessary because most metropolitan sculpture is a very dodgy source for the sort of level of detail this thread is attempting to see in this relief. It contains all the familiar elements for standards (various coronae, phalerae etc) with which any artist would be conversant and there is no reason *per se* why the three standards should represent an actual unit, any more than the standards or shield blazons on Trajan's Column depict real units. With an unprovenanced piece of sculpture like this, it is always safer to err on the side of caution.<br>
<br>
Mike Bishop <p></p><i></i>