Draco (military standard) in the context of "Cohort (military unit)"

Play Trivia Questions online!

or

Skip to study material about Draco (military standard) in the context of "Cohort (military unit)"




⭐ Core Definition: Draco (military standard)

The draco ("dragon" or "serpent", plural dracones) was a military standard of the Roman cavalry. Carried by the draconarius, the draco was the standard of the cohort, as the eagle (aquila) was that of the legion.

The draco may have been introduced to the Roman army after the Dacian Wars by Dacian (see Dacian draco) and Sarmatian units in the second century. According to Vegetius, in the fourth century a draco was carried by each legionary cohort.

↓ Menu

In this Dossier

Draco (military standard) in the context of Roman military standards

Roman military standards were emblems adopted by units of the Roman army. There were three main types of standard (Aquila, Vexillum, Signum). Several throughout its history include:

  • Aquila, the emblem of the Roman legion whose adoption Pliny the Elder attributes to the general Gaius Marius. Each legion had an eagle, or aquila, carried by an aquilifer;
  • Vexillum, the emblem of a legion, cohors, numerus or detachments of such units. This was a flag attached to the top of the pole. One type had the name and number of the legion on it. Others were used by detachments serving away from the legion;
  • Draco, a cavalry standard later adopted also by infantry units;
  • Labarum, personal ensign of emperor Constantine I, later adopted as army standard.
  • Signum, Each century (80 men) had its own standard, called a signum. Signa had lots of symbols attached to the pole (Many were discs with indented circles).
  • Imago, Standard showed the emperor.
↑ Return to Menu

Draco (military standard) in the context of Draconarius

The draconarius was a type of signifer who bore a cavalry standard known as a draco in the Roman army.

↑ Return to Menu