Vexillum

The vexillum was one of the ensigns of the Roman army. As a single of the Roman character was the vexillum of fabric and is therefore forerunner of today's banners and flags. The square piece of cloth hung it down from a cross of wood, which was attached to a support rod. The bunting was usually colored red and showed some of the inscriptions and pictorial representations.

The vexillum was used by a variety of different units: one of the Legion cavalry ( equites legionis ) and auxiliary units, on the other hand of temporary secondments ( detachments ), which were titled accordingly as vexillatio. Presumably this was but vexillum also one of the three main characters of the whole legion field, next to Legion Eagle ( aquila ) and imago.

The vexillum also served as a signal flag. It was awarded to senior officers as military award, such as Marcus Agrippa.

Vexillarius

The vexillum was borne by vexillarius (also called vexillifer ). As vexillarii but were also members of a vexillatio referred, as well as the veterans who after their actual service time (sub aquila ) their reserve service (sub vexillo ) ableisteten.