Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Aquilifer

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

AQUIL'IFER. The principal ensign of a Roman legion, who carried the eagle. (Caes. B. G. v. 37. Suet. Aug. 10.). There was but one aquilifer to each legion, though there were many signiferi, or standard bearers. (Veget. Mil. ii. 13. Compare Tac. Ann. i. 39. and 61.) The example (Aquilifer/1.1) is taken from the Column of Trajan, on which an ensign carrying the eagle is several times represented, with the skin of a wild beast over his head and back, in the same manner as here shown.

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  Aquilifer/1.1