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The ''imaginifer'' was one of the '' signiferi'' in a legion of the
The ''imaginifer'' was one of the '' signiferi'' in a legion of the Roman Empire
The Roman Empire ruled the Mediterranean and much of Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. The Roman people, Romans conquered most of this during the Roman Republic, Republic, and it was ruled by emperors following Octavian's assumption of ...
who carried the ''imago'' (the image) of the emperor.
The ''imaginifer'' was added to the ranks of the legions when the imperial cult
An imperial cult is a form of state religion in which an emperor or a dynasty of emperors (or rulers of another title) are worshipped as demigods or deities. "Cult (religious practice), Cult" here is used to mean "worship", not in the modern pejor ...
was first established during the reign of Augustus
Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian (), was the founder of the Roman Empire, who reigned as the first Roman emperor from 27 BC until his death in A ...
. The image was a three-dimensional portrait made from beaten metal. It was carried only in the leading cohort.
See also
*Aquilifer
An ''aquilifer'' (, "eagle-bearer") was one of the '' signiferi'' in a Roman legion who carried the eagle standard of the legion. The name derives from the type of standard, '' aquila'', meaning "eagle" (which was the universal type used since 1 ...
* Vexillarius
left, A reenactor, equipped as a ''vexillifer'', with a ''vexillum'' standard
Vexillarius is a term referring to one of several distinct types of Roman soldier.
A vexillarius or vexillifer was one of the '' signiferi'' in a Roman legion. His dut ...
* Draconarius
The draconarius was a type of '' signifer'' who bore a cavalry standard known as a '' draco'' in the Roman army.
Name
Strictly speaking, the word ''draconarius'' denotes the bearer of the military standard on which a dragon was represented. ...
References
{{Reflist Military ranks of ancient Rome Ancient Roman titles