This book draws upon the latest research to identify, explain, and
illustrate the standards used by the Roman armies of the Late Empire.
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.
