What are Military Standards?
Roman military standards are icons that symbolized roman honor and purpose during the chaos of battle. Standards were originally a handful of straw or hay attached to the top of a tall pole, but later the hay/straw was replaced by a sculpture of an animal. Pliney the elder suggested that standards be one of five animals; a boar, minotaur(ox with a man's head), horse, eagle, or wolf. Later, the eagle, wolf, bear, boar, and minotaur became symbols of Republican Legions. In addition to animals, an orb(ball) was sometimes used at the top of the pole along with a sculpture of Mars. This particular design is shown on the Column of Trajan and the Arch of Constantine.
Each centuria or bigger unit of the army had its own standard, which was commonly carried by a duplicarius (standard bearer/administrator who was on double the basic pay). These standards were so important that Caesar referred to his centuria by through their standard. Standards tend to be signs of the zodiac because they often represent a great commander or date of achievement. In addition to being used in battle, the standards were used in religious festivals. The Romans took the standards very seriously and the loss of a standard was considered a stain on the roman honor, and the Romans would do whatever they could to protect it and recover it when it was lost. However, sometimes the situation would be so bad that the general might throw a few standards at the opposing army to distract or divert them from their cause. It was then the job of the standard bearer to go and retrieve the thrown standard, even if it meant death. Ideally, the wounded/dying standard bearer would personally deliver the standard back into the hands of the general.
Each centuria or bigger unit of the army had its own standard, which was commonly carried by a duplicarius (standard bearer/administrator who was on double the basic pay). These standards were so important that Caesar referred to his centuria by through their standard. Standards tend to be signs of the zodiac because they often represent a great commander or date of achievement. In addition to being used in battle, the standards were used in religious festivals. The Romans took the standards very seriously and the loss of a standard was considered a stain on the roman honor, and the Romans would do whatever they could to protect it and recover it when it was lost. However, sometimes the situation would be so bad that the general might throw a few standards at the opposing army to distract or divert them from their cause. It was then the job of the standard bearer to go and retrieve the thrown standard, even if it meant death. Ideally, the wounded/dying standard bearer would personally deliver the standard back into the hands of the general.