Aquila (Roman)

The Aquila ( Latin for " eagle " ), in German also often referred to as Legion Eagle, was the highest- field character of the Roman legions. He was probably introduced from about 104 BC during the army reforms by Gaius Marius as honor and identification marks as well as fighting the now long-term incentive existing legions.

The Aquila enjoyed under all field signs the biggest worship and their loss was considered a great disgrace, while the recovery of lost Aquilae was hailed as a major event. Thus, the return of the lost in the Battle of Carrhae Marcus Licinius Crassus under legion eagle is represented by the Parthians on coins and on the breastplate of Augustus of Prima Porta.

Construction

There are no ancient receive Aquilae, so that their structure can be reconstructed only based on visual and written representations. The rod of Aquila was a lance shoe and two handles to insert the field characters into the ground and be able to pull it out again, but usually no further embellishments like the often attached to other field signs phalerae. The actual eagle was sitting on the upper end of the rod on a base and was usually driven at the beginning of gilded silver, under the empire of pure gold. The role of the eagle as a symbol of the Roman god Jupiter was emphasized by the main carried in the claws of thunderbolts, and in some cases supported by a acorn in its beak. The wings were mostly up, more rarely to the side, spread or rarely applied and could wear a laurel wreath, which may have been awarded as a prize. In some cases occurred more ornaments.

On the grave relief of Aquilifers the Legio II Parthica Felsonius Verus an Aquila is shown, in which the eagle is surrounded by a kind of cage, from which some authors have derived the conjecture this legion had had a live eagle as field signs. This could be but also have been a guard or a portable shrine for a normal Aquila.

Use

The Aquila was under the supervision of the first cohort, in particular those cited by ligand Primus pilus, the highest centurion of the legion. She was driven from Aquilifer (Latin for " eagle-bearer " ), the highest ranking standard-bearer of the Legion. This stood in rank directly below the centurions, reached the rank unlike other senior NCOs but only rarely. Probably the rank of Aquilifer was awarded an honorary items to deserving officers. As " duplicarius " received the Aquilifer the double pay a normal legionary.

The equipment of the Aquilifer belonged next to the Aquila, a round shield ( parma). In grave stelae eagle carrier additionally frequently with a scale armor ( lorica squamata ) and a lion's skin are represented on the helmet. The sword was partially supported as the centurions and in contrast to the ordinary legionary on the left.

In contrast to the signals of the individual Centuries Aquila probably had no tactical significance as a landmark for the units in combat. It was only then led out of the camp, when the entire Legion ausmarschierte and was carried before the orderly march of the Legion.

Particular importance was attached to the Aquila as legitimation and identification symbol. Thus, the active service period of Legionary aquila was known as a service sub ( "under the eagle " ) and committed to the founding of the Legion as dies natalis aquilae ( " birthday of the eagle "). To protect the eagle in battle, dar. probably represented a significant motivation for the Legionaries So Caesar describes how at the landing in Britain, the Legio X Gemina Aquilifer the first jumped ship and so the legionaries brought hesitant to advance on the enemy.