STANDARD. A battle-flag; in a broader sense, the emblem of a ruler or a nation. On the Egyptian monuments are representa tions of standards, usually consisting of the image of some sacred animal. a fan or semi circular disk, an ostrich feather, the symbol of victory, the name of the king. o• some other sym bolic device. The standard-bearer was an offi cer of approved valor, and distinguished by a badge representing two lions symbolizing cour age, and two other emblems of doubtful mean ing. In an Egyptian representation of the siege of a town of the Khita, the enemy appear to have as a standard a shield pierced with arrows. The Bible also refers to the use of banners or standards to mark the divisions and subdivi sions of the children of Israel on their march from Egypt to Palestine. The Assyrian 11101111 ment is show standards attached to the chariots. These are circular disks mounted on a pole, and bear the image of two bulls galloping in opposite directions, a disk supported on two bulls' heads, or the god Asshur represented as an archer standing on the back of one or two bulls. Ac cording to Xenophon the Persian standard was a golden eagle. The Greeks do not seem to have used flags o• standards of any kind, though we hear on some occasions that the signal was given by displaying a scarlet cloak on a spear or pole.
Legend claimed that the first Roman standard was a wisp of hay (maim/his) on a pole. In historic times, however, we find a thorough sys tem of military standards or signa. One of these belonged to each maniple (consisting of two centuries), and their details naturally dif fered from the legion and the nature of the troops. for the auxiliaries and cavalry natu
rally bore ensigns not like those of Roman legion aries. As represented on the monuments, the signum of the maniple of the legion was a long pole, shod with metal, and near the top a cross-bar, on which seems to have been a plate with the name of the company. From the ends of this bar hung ribbons tipped with silver oak leaves. Below the bar along the pole are a number of metal disks, which seem to have been marks of distinction, and consequently vary with the legion and company. Above the bar is some times a disk, or a hand, the emblem of fidelity, or the figure of an animal, though these latter seem to appear on the standards of native troops in the Roman service. Another standard bore the image of the Emperor. The standard of the legion was a golden eagle, with spread wings, and usually holding a thunderbolt in its claws. It was placed near the commander in battle, and in the camp had a special shrine, for, like all the standards, it was sacred. Another form of standard was the vexillum, a piece of fringed cloth, hanging from a cross-bar on a pole. This was a very old form, as it was the banner hoisted when the Comitia Centuriata was in session. It gave the signal for battle when raised over the general's tent, and was used by any division on detached duty. It was carried by the cavalry of the legion. and seems sometimes to have been attached to the The color of the cloth was red or white. For modern standards and national emblems, see FLAG, and HERALDRY, sec tion on National Coats of Arms.