What's a Roman Military Standard?
Roman Legions consisted of three different groups known as Centuries, Cohorts and Auxillary units. These three units differentiated and identified themselves by using Roman Standards. The basic physical content of a typical standard included a flag or pennant attached to a pole. Every Standard acted as a symbol resembling a specific type of Legion that Standard was representing. For example, the cavalry legion's Standard may have the icon of a serpent on it. Because Roman people correlated the Standard to resembling different legions, they saw the Standard as a symbol of pride, loyalty, and trust, in not only themselves, but also in their leaders. The Standard was very important in battle, because it acted as a meeting place for soldiers and was large enough so that it was always visible during battles.
The Standard-bearer, veteran legionaries who were honored enough to carry the Standard, were dressed in animal skins and expensive armor to resemble their hierarchy. In battle, the Standard-bearers would make movements with the Standard to act as guidelines for the soldiers of what to do next and where to go. The Standards were so important to Roman people that they were housed in the Treasury Portion of the headquarters building and were watching at all times to ensure its protection.
The Standard-bearer, veteran legionaries who were honored enough to carry the Standard, were dressed in animal skins and expensive armor to resemble their hierarchy. In battle, the Standard-bearers would make movements with the Standard to act as guidelines for the soldiers of what to do next and where to go. The Standards were so important to Roman people that they were housed in the Treasury Portion of the headquarters building and were watching at all times to ensure its protection.