A signifer () was a Standard-bearer of the . He carried a signum (standard) for a cohort or centuria. Each century had a signifer so there were 60 in a legion. Within each cohort, the first century's signifer would be the senior one. The -fer in signifer comes from ferre, the Latin for 'to bear' or 'to carry'.
Standard-bearer
The standard had a number of
phalarae (disks or
) along with a number of other elements mounted on a pole. The pole could be topped with a leaf-shaped spear head or a
manus (open human hand) image denoting the oath of loyalty taken by the soldiers. It sometimes included a representation of a wreath, probably denoting an honour or award.
The task of carrying the signum in battle was dangerous: a soldier had to stand in the first rank and could carry only a small buckler. It was that banner around which the men from each individual century would rally. A soldier could also gain the position of discentes signiferorum, or standard bearer in training. If the signifer was lost in battle, the whole unit was dishonored.
Uniform
Archaeological and literary sources indicate that standard bearers wore mostly
bear furs and sometimes
lion furs. Although often depicted and adopted in modern re-enactments covering their helmets with
wolf furs, those animals are never mentioned.
Treasurer
In addition to carrying the
signum, the
signifer also assumed responsibility for the financial administration of the unit and functioned as the legionaries' treasurer. The Signifer was also a
Duplicarius, paid twice the basic wage.
Roman Republic and Roman Empire
In the
Roman Republic, the signifer probably applied to all standard bearers, but in the
Roman Empire, the signifer was just one of a number of types of signiferi, which also included
(responsible for the legion's
aquila),
(who carried an image of the emperor),
Vexillarius (who carried the
Vexillum, a banner representing the legion), and
Draconarius (who carried the standard of a cavalry unit).
See also
Sources
-
Zehetner, S. 2011: Der Signifer. Stellung und Aufgaben in der Kaiserzeitlichen Armee. VDM Verlag, Saarbrücken.
