meaning of standard of Legio XX

[richsc]

On the antefix tiles of Legio XX are an odd shape on the standard:



which looks like it is a ball shape, with an obvious dimple. I had no idea what this could be, but the recent excavation in Rome of "Sceptor of Emperor Maxentius"

Archaeologists also found a scepter with a brass and iron hilt, two gilt glass balls and one made of chalcedony, a precious variety of quartz. The balls symbolized the Earth and would have been surmounted by an eagle or Victory.

ATTRIBUTION – All of the finds had been buried on the Palatine Hill, not far from the Sacred Way, the main thoroughfare of ancient Rome. The standards were found in wooden cases and had been wrapped in linen and silk. After scrupulous examination of the site and the materials, experts concluded that they date from the early fourth century.

The image of the ball found has a dimple in the middle, which may correspond with the image on the antefix, or being gold, may simple represent the reflection of the sun (lightsource) which happens on all spheres.

[Uwe Bahr]

Salve Richard,

could it not be just a very simplified and stylized trophy consisting of a round shield on a long spear with two smaller ones attached behind the shield?

Greets - Uwe

[A_Volpe]

Rich -

There is that circle with dot in middle symbol that does mean "Sun" or "Universe", and I also think of the Alchemy symbol for Gold, for sunshine in meteorology.

Is that 'dimple' an actyual hole? Perhaps that was where the plaque was nailed (or strung) to the rest of the standard?