The Vexillum
The Vexilum is a standard used by the roman army. It consisted of a mainly red body, made of fabric, hanging from a crossbar suspended from the main staff or pole. The Vexillum usually had tassels or other decorations hanging from the sides, and fringe on the bottom. Written on the flag was LEG for a legion or COH for a cohort, along with the unit number associated with the section, written in roman numerals. They also usually had an animal on them, the bull and the boar were both very popular as icons. Many vexillum also had an abbreviation for any titles the unit had been awarded. The vexillum was used to indicate movements for the troops, waving raising and lowering or other motions would tell the troops what to do next. |