aquilifer
Sign in to savethumb|upright|A modern reconstruction of an aquila An aquilifer (, "eagle-bearer") was one of the signiferi in a Roman legion who carried the eagle standard of the legion. The name derives from the type of standard, aquila, meaning "eagle" (which was the universal type used since 106 BC), and ferre, the Latin word for bringing or carrying. Before that time, the wolf, boar, bull and horse were also used. The eagle standard was the most important possession of the legion, and its loss was a terrible disgrace.
Article
4 sectionsContents
- Examples of ''aquilifers'' in ''Commentarii de Bello Gallico''
- Lucius Petrosidius
- See also
- References
thumb|upright|A modern reconstruction of an aquila An aquilifer (, "eagle-bearer") was one of the signiferi in a Roman legion who carried the eagle standard of the legion. The name derives from the type of standard, aquila, meaning "eagle" (which was the universal type used since 106 BC), and ferre, the Latin word for bringing or carrying. Before that time, the wolf, boar, bull and horse were also used. The eagle standard was the most important possession of the legion, and its loss was a terrible disgrace.
The aquila emblem generally had up-raised wings surrounded by a laurel wreath. It was mounted on a narrow trapezoidal base and mounted on a pole that was held aloft.