Week 5: Standard bearers

This stone was placed in a wall to record building work carried out when South Shields fort was converted into a supply base in the very early third century. The inscription is now difficult to read, but says: ‘the century of [name illegible] of the third cohort of the Sixth Legion, Victorious, Dutiful and Loyal (built this)’. The Roman army loved to record who built what. This is quite a fancy example, with military standards on either side of the inscription, and would originally have been brightly painted to make it stand out.

This is part of one of the swords found in a hoard at South Shields, from the extension of the fort when it was converted to a supply base. It had a pattern-welded blade and inlaid copper-alloy decoration – Mars on one side and an eagle holding a palm branch (symbol of victory/peace) between standards on the other. You can also see traces of wood grain from the scabbard on the surface of the iron.

Soldiers could hold different roles within the Roman Army.

One role a soldier could have was to be a standard bearer. Being the standard bearer of the whole cohort was a position of honour, and only the best would be picked.

Standard bearers had the important role of carrying standards (spears with various symbols on them).

These standards were very important to the soldiers. They weren’t just signs for the men to follow into battle or to say which cohort or century they were in, but they were sacred symbols which meant something to the soldiers. If the standard was lost in battle, the entire unit would be in disgrace and serious trouble.

Download more information about the different standards below.

Standard bearers

Why not have a go at making your very own vexillum, signum or draco standard?

Follow the instructions below to make them.

Download these templates:

Vexillum template

Signum template

Draco template

Challenge 1: Make your own Vexillum standard for the Fourth Cohort of Lingones (who were based at Segedunum)

You could use:

• Vexillum template (or copy the shape onto some card)
• Red card or felt
• A stick or ruler
• Coloured pens, pencils, paint
• Scissors, tape

Step 1

Print out the template or copy the shape onto card. Get creative! Colour and decorate your lion in any style you like.  

Step 2

A Vexillum is usually coloured red. Cut out your lion design and stick it with some glue to some red card or felt which will also help to strengthen your vexillum (or alternatively colour in the background of your design).  

Step 3

Tape a stick or ruler to the back of your vexillum. 

Step 4

Your vexillum is completed. 

Challenge yourself further by designing and creating your own vexillum for your own cohort of Roman Soldiers. 

You could use:

• Signum template (or copy the shape onto some card)
• A stick or ruler
• Coloured pens, pencils, paint
• Scissors, tape

Step 1

Print out the template or copy the shape onto card. Get creative! Colour and decorate your signum in any style you like.  

Step 2

Tape a stick or ruler to the back of your signum.

Step 3

Your signum is completed.

Challenge yourself further and make a 3D signum standard.

You could use:

• Paper plates or card
• Tin foil to cover paper plate or card
• A stick or ruler
• Card, tissue paper or cut up magazines to decorate
• Coloured pens, pencils, paint
• Scissors, tape

You could use:

• Draco template (or copy the shape onto some card)
• Card
• A stick or ruler
• Coloured tissue paper, ribbons, wool, cut up magazines
• Coloured pens, pencils, paint
• Scissors, tape

Step 1

Print out the template or copy the shape onto card. You can stick the template to some card to make it stronger. Get creative! Colour and decorate your draco in any style you like.  

Step 2

Tape a stick or ruler to the back of your draco.

Step 3

Tape coloured streamers to the back of your draco. You could use coloured paper, wool, cut up comics or magazines.

Remember to share your creations with us. Tag us on Twitter at @SegedunumFort, use the #Seggyathome hashtag, or post them on our Facebook page.