The Late Roman Empire was a period of significant change in the
designs of standards and in the costumes of standard-bearers. During
the middle decades of the chaotic 3rd century, evidence confirms the
continued use of the old legionary eagle and the signa of the old
cohorts and centuries, alongside flags and Imperial images. The two
major trends over the later generations were the adoption of Christian
symbols on standards (e.g. Constantine the Great's Chi-Rho), and the
proliferation of different types of flags. This had begun in the late
2nd century with the adoption of the 'barbarian' dragon standard, the
windsock-shaped draco, which continued to be displayed alongside
various other flags in the Greek-speaking Eastern Empire, whose
influence increased greatly. Meanwhile, the growing employment of
foreign units was such that by the 5th century we have evidence of the
use of Hunnic symbolism among a Roman general's suite of standards.
The costumes of standard-bearers also evolved as 'Persian' styles
spread from Constantinople. This title explores all these changes in
depth, charting the development of various costumes and designs and
the waxing and waning influence of various cultures and religious
considerations. The text is supported by specially commissioned
illustrations and artist's reconstructions of the standards and their
bearers.
Les mer
AD 192–500
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781472836502
Publisert
2020
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Bloomsbury UK
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter