Reply To: A question about Roman Standards

[willb]

Except for the two legions in Egypt which were commanded by Praefecti Legionis, a Roman legion was commanded by a Legatus Legionis, who was a senator.   The only reference that I know of for a standard for the whole legion is the eagle.  Later armies from Constantine on used the Labrum for an army standard.  I don’t recall the company at the moment, but there is one with vexila banners that have legion names and symbols on them.

Consuls, who commanded the Republican legions, had a lictor who carried their fasces, a symbol of their authority.  This carried on with the Legatus during the reign of Augustus.  The fasces of a Legatus had five sticks and an axe.