Aquila (The Eagle)
One of the most famous standards of the Roman army was the Aquila. The Aquila standard was an eagle, associated with the god Juppiter. For a Roman army, it was the greatest disgrace if the Aquila was captured. The Aquila was carried by a special standard bearer called an Aquilifer. This standard bearer was the most important, so he wore the headdress of the bear. Usually the eagle on these standards had it's wings in the air and was surrounded by laurel leaves or lightening bolts.
One of the most famous standards of the Roman army was the Aquila. The Aquila standard was an eagle, associated with the god Juppiter. For a Roman army, it was the greatest disgrace if the Aquila was captured. The Aquila was carried by a special standard bearer called an Aquilifer. This standard bearer was the most important, so he wore the headdress of the bear. Usually the eagle on these standards had it's wings in the air and was surrounded by laurel leaves or lightening bolts.