Cornu (horn)

The Cornu ( Pl: cornua, lat, horn ') was a brass instrument in the Roman Empire.

It has similar to the Buccina a circular spiral, about 3 m long tube. The instrument was composed of several cast bronze tubes and had to stabilize an oblique diameter extending support. So it looked like the capital letter G.

The Cornu was born in the Roman army from the trumpeter ( Cornicen ) whose rank is to be compared with that of an ensign. He translated the orders of his centurions in acoustic signals and sent them across the battlefield. It was also used straight horns ( Tubae ) for the same purpose.

Outside of the war it was used as Zeremonialinstrument.