Vexillum: Difference between revisions
m →Use in Roman army: Changed "diminutive" to "derivative" as a diminutive is a shortened form of a word, so vexillum cannot be a derivative of velum. If the author did not mean derivative then this may need to be edited to another word to demonstrate the original author's intent. |
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[[File:Vexillum-Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts.png|thumb|left|The only extant Roman ''vexillum'', 3rd century AD. [[Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts]], Russia]] |
[[File:Vexillum-Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts.png|thumb|left|The only extant Roman ''vexillum'', 3rd century AD. [[Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts]], Russia]] |
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[[File:Museum Petronell - Vexillum Ala I.jpg|thumb|left|Modern reproduction of a Roman cavalry ''vexillum'']] |
[[File:Museum Petronell - Vexillum Ala I.jpg|thumb|left|Modern reproduction of a Roman cavalry ''vexillum'']] |
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The '''''vexillum''''' ({{IPAc-en|v|ɛ|k|ˈ|s|ɪ|l|əm}}; plural '''''vexilla''''') was a flag-like object used as a [[War flag|military standard]] by units in the [[Ancient Roman army]]. |
The '''''vexillum''''' ({{IPAc-en|v|ɛ|k|ˈ|s|ɪ|l|əm}}; plural '''''vexilla''''') was a flag-like object used as a [[War flag|military standard]] by units in the [[Ancient Roman army]]. |
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==Use in Roman army== |
==Use in Roman army== |
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The word ''vexillum'' is a derivative of the Latin word, ''velum'', meaning a sail, which confirms the historical evidence (from coins and sculpture) that ''vexilla'' were literally "little sails": flag-like standards. In the ''vexillum'', the cloth was draped from a horizontal crossbar suspended from a staff. That is unlike most modern flags in which the "hoist" of the cloth is attached directly to a vertical staff. The bearer of a ''vexillum'' was known as a ''[[vexillarius]]'' or ''vexillifer''.<ref>[http://flagspot.net/flags/xf-etym.html#vex Vexillum]. ''Flagspot.net'', retrieved March 18, 2011</ref> |
The word ''vexillum'' is a derivative of the Latin word, ''velum'', meaning a sail, which confirms the historical evidence (from coins and sculpture) that ''vexilla'' were literally "little sails": flag-like standards. In the ''vexillum'', the cloth was draped from a horizontal crossbar suspended from a staff. That is unlike most modern flags in which the "hoist" of the cloth is attached directly to a vertical staff. The bearer of a ''vexillum'' was known as a ''[[vexillarius]]'' or ''vexillifer''.<ref name="Vexillum">[http://flagspot.net/flags/xf-etym.html#vex Vexillum]. ''Flagspot.net'', retrieved March 18, 2011</ref> |
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Just as in the case of the [[regimental colors]] or flags of early modern Western regiments, the ''vexillum'' was a treasured symbol of the military unit that it represented and it was closely defended in combat. It was the main standard of some types of units, especially cavalry; however, it was regarded as less important than a legion's ''[[aquila (Roman)|aquila]]'', or eagle, and may have represented a subdivision of a legion. However, that is not entirely clear from surviving sources (see ''[[vexillatio]]'').<ref |
Just as in the case of the [[regimental colors]] or flags of early modern Western regiments, the ''vexillum'' was a treasured symbol of the military unit that it represented and it was closely defended in combat. It was the main standard of some types of units, especially cavalry; however, it was regarded as less important than a legion's ''[[aquila (Roman)|aquila]]'', or eagle, and may have represented a subdivision of a legion. However, that is not entirely clear from surviving sources (see ''[[vexillatio]]'').<ref name="Vexillum"/> |
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The only existent Roman military ''vexillum'' is dated to the first half of the 3rd century AD and is housed in the [[Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts]]. It is an almost square piece of coarse linen cloth with the image of the goddess [[Victoria (mythology)|Victoria]] and measures 47×50 |
The only existent Roman military ''vexillum'' is dated to the first half of the 3rd century AD and is housed in the [[Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts]]. It is an almost square piece of coarse linen cloth with the image of the goddess [[Victoria (mythology)|Victoria]] and measures 47×50 cm.<ref name="Rostovtzeff">{{cite journal |last=Rostovtzeff |first=Michael |authorlink=Michael Rostovtzeff|title=Vexillum and Victory |journal=The Journal of Roman Studies |volume=32 |year=1942 |page=92 |doi=10.2307/296463|jstor=296463 }}</ref> The lower edge has the remains of a fringe.<ref name="Rostovtzeff"/> The ''vexillum'' was once attached to a piece of reed wood.<ref name="Rostovtzeff"/> It is unknown to which military unit the ''vexillum'' belonged. The ''vexillum'' was found in Egypt shortly before 1911, but its exact provenance is also unclear.<ref>Rostovtzeff, p. 106</ref> |
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==General and later use== |
==General and later use== |
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[[File:Young Folks' History of Rome illus064.png|thumb| |
[[File:Young Folks' History of Rome illus064.png|thumb|Roman ensigns, standards, trumpets etc.]] |
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The term ''vexillum'' (plural ''vexilla'') is used more generally for any object, such as a [[relic]] or [[icon]], used as a standard in battle, and may be considered the offensive equivalent of the more defensive [[Palladium (mythology)|palladium]] in this context.<ref>Ryan, William Francis,''The Bathhouse at Midnight: An Historical Survey of Magic and Divination in Russia'', pp. 237-239, 1999, Penn State Press, {{ISBN|0271019670}}, 9780271019673</ref> |
The term ''vexillum'' (plural ''vexilla'') is used more generally for any object, such as a [[relic]] or [[icon]], used as a standard in battle, and may be considered the offensive equivalent of the more defensive [[Palladium (mythology)|palladium]] in this context.<ref>Ryan, William Francis,''The Bathhouse at Midnight: An Historical Survey of Magic and Divination in Russia'', pp. 237-239, 1999, Penn State Press, {{ISBN|0271019670}}, 9780271019673</ref> |
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[[Vexillology]], or the study of flags, derives its name from this word and a [[vexilloid]] is a standard that is not of conventional flag form. |
[[Vexillology]], or the study of flags, derives its name from this word and a [[vexilloid]] is a standard that is not of conventional flag form. |
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Nearly all of the present-day regions of Italy preserve the use of ''vexilla''. Many Christian processional banners are in the ''vexillum form''; usually these banners are termed ''[[labarum|labara]]'' ({{lang-el|λάβαρον}}) after the standard adopted by the first Christian Roman emperor [[Constantine I|Constantine I]], which replaced the usual spear point with the "[[Chi-Rho]]" symbol <big><big>[[☧]]</big></big>. For example, a ''vexillum'' is used by the [[Legion of Mary]] as the term for its standards. A small version is used on the altar and a larger one leads processions. In the Middle Ages, the type of banner draped from a horizontal crossbar became known as a ''[[gonfalon]]''. |
Nearly all of the present-day regions of Italy preserve the use of ''vexilla''. Many Christian processional banners are in the ''vexillum form''; usually these banners are termed ''[[labarum|labara]]'' ({{lang-el|λάβαρον}}) after the standard adopted by the first Christian Roman emperor [[Constantine I|Constantine I]], which replaced the usual spear point with the "[[Chi-Rho]]" symbol <big><big>[[☧]]</big></big>. For example, a ''vexillum'' is used by the [[Legion of Mary]] as the term for its standards. A small version is used on the altar and a larger one leads processions. In the Middle Ages, the type of banner draped from a horizontal crossbar became known as a ''[[gonfalon]]''. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Portal|Ancient Rome|War}} |
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*''[[Vexilla Regis]]'', early Christian hymn whose first line uses this word, referring to the cross as a standard |
*''[[Vexilla Regis]]'', early Christian hymn whose first line uses this word, referring to the cross as a standard |
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Revision as of 23:45, 5 September 2019
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The vexillum (/vɛkˈsɪləm/; plural vexilla) was a flag-like object used as a military standard by units in the Ancient Roman army.
Use in Roman army
The word vexillum is a derivative of the Latin word, velum, meaning a sail, which confirms the historical evidence (from coins and sculpture) that vexilla were literally "little sails": flag-like standards. In the vexillum, the cloth was draped from a horizontal crossbar suspended from a staff. That is unlike most modern flags in which the "hoist" of the cloth is attached directly to a vertical staff. The bearer of a vexillum was known as a vexillarius or vexillifer.[1]
Just as in the case of the regimental colors or flags of early modern Western regiments, the vexillum was a treasured symbol of the military unit that it represented and it was closely defended in combat. It was the main standard of some types of units, especially cavalry; however, it was regarded as less important than a legion's aquila, or eagle, and may have represented a subdivision of a legion. However, that is not entirely clear from surviving sources (see vexillatio).[1]
The only existent Roman military vexillum is dated to the first half of the 3rd century AD and is housed in the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. It is an almost square piece of coarse linen cloth with the image of the goddess Victoria and measures 47×50 cm.[2] The lower edge has the remains of a fringe.[2] The vexillum was once attached to a piece of reed wood.[2] It is unknown to which military unit the vexillum belonged. The vexillum was found in Egypt shortly before 1911, but its exact provenance is also unclear.[3]
General and later use
The term vexillum (plural vexilla) is used more generally for any object, such as a relic or icon, used as a standard in battle, and may be considered the offensive equivalent of the more defensive palladium in this context.[4]
Vexillology, or the study of flags, derives its name from this word and a vexilloid is a standard that is not of conventional flag form.
Nearly all of the present-day regions of Italy preserve the use of vexilla. Many Christian processional banners are in the vexillum form; usually these banners are termed labara (Template:Lang-el) after the standard adopted by the first Christian Roman emperor Constantine I, which replaced the usual spear point with the "Chi-Rho" symbol ☧. For example, a vexillum is used by the Legion of Mary as the term for its standards. A small version is used on the altar and a larger one leads processions. In the Middle Ages, the type of banner draped from a horizontal crossbar became known as a gonfalon.
See also
- Vexilla Regis, early Christian hymn whose first line uses this word, referring to the cross as a standard
In taxonomy
- Vexillum (botany), the large upper petal of a papilionaceous flower
- Vexillum (gastropod), a genus of snails in the family Costellariidae
- Inquisitor vexillum, a sea snail species
References
- ^ a b Vexillum. Flagspot.net, retrieved March 18, 2011
- ^ a b c Rostovtzeff, Michael (1942). "Vexillum and Victory". The Journal of Roman Studies. 32: 92. doi:10.2307/296463. JSTOR 296463.
- ^ Rostovtzeff, p. 106
- ^ Ryan, William Francis,The Bathhouse at Midnight: An Historical Survey of Magic and Divination in Russia, pp. 237-239, 1999, Penn State Press, ISBN 0271019670, 9780271019673
