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The below taken from Pertinax' latest blog entry. (Without permission!)

 

HAND

 

What does the hand at the top signify? The badges and the moon under the badges?

 

GLADIUS

 

I note that the gladius' sheath is slung towards the back with thongs attached to the belt. Provision seems to have been made for slinging it forwards. Or its remaining perpendicular to the ground. Was there uniformity in the line? What would be the purpose for the apparently three different positions? What is the staff in his hands and its purpose?

 

PLUME

 

With his gladius on the left, I presume that he is a centurion. Yet his helmet has no plume. If so, did it matter? Was there any purpose for the direction of a plume?

Edited by Gaius Octavius
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Signum standards were used by Legionary and Auxiliary Century units,the "Manus"(human hand) represent's the first Century of a maniple formation(republic).The discs represent the number of units in the cohort,i think :D .

 

Longbow

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It would seem to me that slinging the gladius towards the back would be horribly impractical, and for that reason probably wouldn't be done. Having it perpendicular would be more likely.

 

The officer's helmet has little "ears", that is where feather plumes would be attached. I don't think he's a centurion but rather another high ranking officer judging by the attachments for two feather plumes as opposed to a single horizontal crest.

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Signum standards were used by Legionary and Auxiliary Century units,the "Manus"(human hand) represent's the first Century of a maniple formation(republic).The discs represent the number of units in the cohort,i think :) .

re!'?Longbow

 

I would still like to know what it means, v.g., 'This far and no more!'?

 

LW, have you tried it?

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I dont think its known what the Manus signify's, 'This far and no more!' seems a plausable theory to me.Or a copy of the Salute maybe?

If the hand has a wreath around it that signify's a honour won for the Unit and the Crescent Moon below the phalerae is supposed to represent Mithras,but other Zodiac signs were allso used.The fringed bowl below the Zodiac sign looks like a good place to put your hand if it comes to using that thing as a weapon (unlikely i know).

 

I like the Draco standards,Time Team ( a British TV show) recreated one and the sound it made as the guy was galloping along with it was really quite creepy,i imagine it scared the natives :) .

2005drum8ma3.th.jpg

Edited by longbow
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No I have not tried it, I don't have a gladius to try it with (when I get one, I'll try it :P) It just seems impractical in close formation. Especailly since you cannot well see the guy behind you to avoid giving him a *particularly* nasty stab wound :blink: Not only that, but the guy behind you is likely to wear his gladius the other way, and when both attempt to draw their weapons at the same time, it could concievably create an issue :)

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No m8,i think they originaly came from the Eastern Steppes tribes,Rome took a shine to them though :) .

Longbow

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No m8,i think they originaly came from the Eastern Steppes tribes,Rome took a shine to them though :) .

Longbow

 

Did the Romans use it? If so when and where?

 

Not to be too nosy, and if it is not some secret code, clue me in on "m8". Oh, forgot, please.

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The Draco was probably introduced by Sarmatian cavalry in the early 2nd century AD. There are examples of it on Trajan's column proving it's use at that early stage, though it became the common standard much later.

 

Fectio.org Roman Draco

 

Nice site. Good info and pics. Do I see right? Is the infantry using a draco?

Edited by Gaius Octavius
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