Signiferi

Profile description

Signiferi are a group of standard-bearers carrying the legionary standards, important from the point of view of morale, prestige and religious belief. Chosen from among the bravest men in the unit, they form the core of the Centvria together with its commander, positioned in the second line behind him, where they mark the rallying point and the direction of attack.

Within the group of legionaries, we distinguish the following standard-bearers by order of importance : 

1. Aqvilifer - bearer of the legionary eagle - aqvila,
2. Imaginifer - bearer of the image of the emperor - imago,
3. Signifer - bearer of the Centvria standard - signvm,
4. Vexiliarivs- bearer of the banner indicating which legion our detachment belongs to - vexillvm.
5. Cornicen, Tvbicen – trumpeters who transmit orders through sound signals, for example to march, attack, or retreat

Tasks and duties in the camp

Duties of those carrying the standards (Vexilivm, Signvm, Aqvila ):

1. Maintaining formation - the soldiers oriented themselves according to their position in relation to the Signvm, followed it and moved in the direction it indicated. If the Signifer advanced, the line pressed forward; when he stopped, the position was held.
2. Because the standards signalled the commander's intentions, all basic signals given by the standards, which informed the soldiers about specific manoeuvres, must be known:

• rallying point
• lowering the signvm - signal for the legionaries to lower their shields
• raising the signvm - readiness to march / act, raising of shields by the legionaries
• direction of march/attack
• turning in the designated direction
• signalling the commander's intentions

• Caring for all symbols and legionary standards, maintaining them so that, always properly polished, they present themselves with dignity and majesty because of the great religious reverence surrounding them
• Care of the Sacellvm in the camp, where the standards were kept, as in a sanctuary, with proper religious reverence. In cooperation with the priests, they perform ceremonies in their honour (offerings, ritual decoration of the standards)
• their display during the day at the designated place, and at night their storage to protect them from bad weather or potential theft (for example during an attack or an attempted theft)
• Managing the soldiers' savings and the physical payment of their wages 
• Managing each soldier's funeral fund (transport of the ashes and a dignified burial)

Duties of the trumpeters:

Cornicen gives orders in the form of sound signals not only on the battlefield, but also during camp work. He signalled and regulated the cycle of work being carried out. 

1. In the camp
   • setting up/rolling up the battle standards
   • waking the camp
   • assembly of the soldiers
   • changing the guards (Excvbia)
   • meal time
   • regulating movement during the review of the army
   • announcing the moment of a command address or an assembly of the army
   • participating in sacrifices and during military ceremonies
2. In battle (trumpets and horns play together)
   • signalling the beginning of a march / halt
   • signalling attack / withdrawal
   • execution of a special task (by soldiers operating away from the standards)
   • regrouping
   • rallying point after the formation has been broken
3. On the march
   • beginning the process of breaking camp
   • forming the column and marching out of the camp
   • helping to maintain pace and order in the marching column
   • transmitting commands such as "forward" (procedite), "halt" (consistite) or "rest"
   • raising the alarm about an approaching enemy
   • signalling arrival at the destination and designating the place for building the camp