Signifer
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A signifer (Latin: [ˈsɪŋnɪfɛr]) was a standard bearer of the Roman legions. He carried a signum (standard) for a cohort or century. Each century had a signifer so there were 60 in a legion. Within each cohort, the first century's signifer would be the senior one. The -fer in signifer comes from ferre, the Latin for 'to bear' or 'to carry'.
Standard-bearer
[edit]The standard had a number of phalarae (disks or medallions) along with a number of other elements mounted on a pole. The pole could be topped with a leaf-shaped spear head or a manus (open human hand) image denoting the oath of loyalty taken by the soldiers. It sometimes included a representation of a wreath, probably denoting an honour or award.
The task of carrying the signum in battle was dangerous, a soldier had to stand in the first rank and could carry only a small buckler. It was that banner that the men from each individual century would rally around. A soldier could also gain the position of discentes signiferorum, or standard bearer in training. If the signifer was lost in battle, the whole unit was dishonored.
Uniform
[edit]Archaeological and literary sources indicate that standard bearers wore mostly bear furs and sometimes lion furs. Although often depicted and adopted in modern re-enactments covering their helmets with wolf furs, those animals are never mentioned.[1]
Treasurer
[edit]In addition to carrying the signum, the signifer also assumed responsibility for the financial administration of the unit and functioned as the legionaries' treasurer. The Signifer was also a Duplicarius, paid twice the basic wage.
Roman Republic and Roman Empire
[edit]In the Roman Republic, the signifer probably applied to all standard bearers, but in the Roman Empire, the signifer was just one of a number of types of signiferi, which also included aquilifers (responsible for the legion's aquila), imaginifers (who carried an image of the emperor), vexillarii (who carried the Vexillum, a banner representing the legion), and draconarii (who carried the standard of a cavalry unit).
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Mika Rissanen. "Was There a Taboo on Killing Wolves in Rome?". Quaderni Urbinati di Cultura Classica. Fabrizio Serra Editore. Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
Sources
[edit]- Zehetner, S. 2011: Der Signifer. Stellung und Aufgaben in der Kaiserzeitlichen Armee. VDM Verlag, Saarbrücken.