The Aquila
-The Aquila, or Eagle standard, was the favorite standard of the Roman legion. Its bearer was called the Aquillifer, who usually wore a lion-skin.
-It depicted a silver or bronze eagle, representing Jupiter, the king of the gods, holding thunderbolts in its claws. -The Aquila was the most important standard! It would be defended to the death and it was a huge disgrace to have your Aquillifer captured. (See the Augustus fun fact on the home page!) -The aquila is probably the most modernly recognizable as it is now used in the seal of America, and is often ornamenting the top of American flags: |