Flags In The Roman Army

h. The Roman military had two main forces, with two different standards or flags to represent them. Roman infantry units were known as legions, cavalry units were known as Equites. The flag of a cavalry unit was usually adorned with a figure or picture of the serpent. A legion of infantry normally was represented by the eagle. The movements of a formation of troops and of every single section of it were regulated by the standards different signals, all the movements, attacks, and commands of the Roman army were expressed by phrases that were relayed to the standard bearer to signal the formation. The standard bearer had a large role in battle, having to know the signals and commands. Referre means to retreat, convertere to about face, castris vellere, to leave of exit the camp, …show more content…
The standards of the cohorts or battalions were different in that they were called signa, their bearers were known as signiferi, and that the standards of the smaller divisions of the cohort were named vexilla, their bearers being vexillarii. The pole used to carry the eagle had at the end an iron point to place it into the ground, and to allow the holder in the case of an attack to be able to defend himself. There were strategical situations in which it was sometimes necessary to hide the standards in battle. The Romans often considered it a critical point to preserve their standards in battle, though it is noted in some cases of extreme danger the leader would order the standards thrown among the ranks of the enemy in order to draw their attention or to inspire and motivate his own troops. If the standard bearer was injured or dying he would attempt to deliver it, to the possession of his general. The small troops of a cohort or battalion, which were known as centuries consisting of roughly 80 men, each had their own ensign, printed with the number of the cohort and of the