RECEIVE AWARDS ROMAN LEGIONARIES

Many researchers (in particular, Professor of the University of Perm AV Kolobov) felt that in any army ancient world did not exist a developed system of military awards, like the Romans. In the time of the Roman Republic there were different kinds of rewards for distinguished soldiers in combat arms and ornaments, taken from prostrate enemy, the special signs of military prowess, cash bonuses and more than the other, the amount of available prey. Distributed wreaths were also different advantages, boxes, necklaces, bracelets, medals and special spears that have not been used in combat.

In times of war medals Roman Empire had become divided by the officers and soldiers. Flags, flowers and spear (with a few exceptions) are now signs of honor for the top military commanders, and soldiers encouraged the necklaces and bracelets. These awards have become known to the Romans after the war with gallium, and at first they were only the spoils of war. But if opponents of the Romans wore a necklace around his neck, and bracelets - on the legs, the Roman soldiers began to attach them to the breast portion of the shell with the help of special leather hinges.

In the time of the Empire necklaces and bracelets were handed outstanding soldiers (from the ordinary to the centurion), usually in pairs, and often simultaneously - and the necklaces and bracelets. Such awards were made from different metals, and then were covered with gold or silver. Among bracelets dominated flat, wide and mostly without any figures, but others are decorated with so-called "snake pattern". These awards were given only to soldiers who have the right of Roman citizenship. But science known as honorary necklaces and bracelets were handed a military, with the support of the troops, which normally are not citizens of the Roman Empire.

A detailed description of all the awards left Ancient Roman historian Polybius, who lived in the II century BC. He was a devotee of the Roman government, and in his "History" wrote:

"If there was any fight, and some soldiers distinguished themselves in the bravery, the consul shall convene at the gathering all the army and put himself beside the soldiers.

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First he makes a commendable call about the merits of every man, and then gives a soldier, ranivshemu enemy, spear, soldier, ubivshemu enemy and snyavshemu his armor, gives phial - a disc, if it is on foot, or falery if horse. Golden wreath consul praises the soldiers who take the city when the first went up on the wall. Soldiers awarded such prizes, participate in solemn procession with signs of honor, to wear such jewelry can only be the one awarded to the consul for valor. "

Polybius also noted that the parades of the Syrian king of Antioch, even the horses had in gold and silver falarah. In Ancient Greece "falara" originally meant a golden metal badge, or strengthen a helmet decorated soldier, and then they were applied in the form of fasteners for military armor, as well as to decorate the horse trappings. Images such falar found on many ancient Greek vases, which the Upper or zapryazhennye horses.

From the ancient Greek language "falary" modified "falery, moved to the Apennine peninsula, where the Etruscans, they became known in a different meaning. In ancient Rome, in the IV century BC falery first was only a sign of belonging to the position: along with the golden ring (hoop), they were used as the insignia of the senatorial power. But soon falery become military awards. They were known at the time of the Republic, but then they were awarded only konniki. 1 When Hannibal invaded the Roman camp at Cannes, the extraction karfagenyan of "silver, which was mainly on horse falerah. The custom of Roman warriors decorate their horses and noted poet Yuvenal:

And uncouth man, knew no more admirable

Before the arts of Greeks, when the split extraction

Take the city to find her perfect work

Cups - scrap to falerami his beautiful horse.

Roman falery - it is usually big and small circular discs or oval shaped, measuring in diameter from 4 to 7 centimeters. They were very different in design - smooth and flat, with knobble middle or outwards from the center of concentric circles - and most were made of different materials (silver or bronze, often gilded), precious or semiprecious stones and even glass. These awards to scientists is sometimes difficult to distinguish from similar to those plaques decorating portupeyu soldiers and horse trappings.

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At falerah made all sorts of images, especially frequent Gorgon Medusa′s head, Mars, Minerva, Jupiter, and the head sphinx or lion. Falery wore on his chest: the cavity filled with resin, and closed on the back of the copper plate, which transmits through the wire. The wire loop formed in places where right angles or diagonally crossing straps, passing on his chest or shoulder.

Especially brave soldiers and honored to have several faler that legionaries were given not one, as the medals in the modern armies, but entire sets of 5, 7 or 9 pieces. For example, in the museum town of Mainz is located tombstone Kay Lucie, znamenostsa XIV Legion, and was shown faler 9 together with two rings. In the same way the ring and falery located at the tomb of Roman legionary Støle Kay Cornelia, exhibited at the Museum Wiesbaden. And in 1858 in Germany, was found a round metal box, which was based on the 9 faler. It was the owner Flavio First - centurion of Legion XI: his name was engraved on the box and on one of faler depicting satire.

Archaeologists excavated a lot of tombstones in the ruins of war camps on the Rhine, in England, Holland, Switzerland and other countries. After reviewing them, historians have concluded that falery (as well as the hryvnia, and wrist) were the lowest marks and gratuity given mostly soldiers. Military also presented wreaths and spears. Roman Emperor August in an effort to popularity in the broad masses of soldiers, willingly "handed falery, hryvnia and all gold and silver ornaments, wreaths rather than honored for taking the walls and ramparts: for them it was very PMSS.

History of Ancient Rome - is a history of the Roman victories weapons. The war was for the Romans natural condition, and the wooden doors of a temple of the god Janus, located in the heart of the Forum, almost all were discovered in a sign that God Himself spoke to the aid of legionaries. During the triumphs of Rome people could see his army in the entire splendor. In the "Stories" Tacitus, for example, describes the triumphal procession Vitella soldiers during the civil war 69 years:

Centurion, verification of arms and signs of honor, walked in front of each of its century, and the hryvnia falery soldiers sparkle in the sun.

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"

Less common were falery of glass, usually dark blue, in addition, not all experts believe their awards. If the archaeological excavations of the metal falery scientists usually gets together, the glass is found less frequently and often alone, so now they are aware a little more than 70 copies. At the glass falerah depicting male head, do not occur in the metal, often accompanied by children. Many scientists are now inclined to think that the glass falerah portray emperors and crown princes of the dynasty Yuliev-Klavdiya with his sons, less often - their wives. The most commonly found on glass falerah images of emperors Tiberius and Claudius (sometimes with his sons), as well as commander Germanika - pet Rhine legions, to be the successor to Tiberius, if not for his sudden demise.

Important role in the Roman triumph played myrtle. Intertwined from the wreath decorated heroes of valor, or for civil war without the shedding of blood. Garland, this was called "corona ovalis" (from the word "ovus" - sheep), as well as in laying it on the head of the hero is usually sacrificed a sheep. The first such award received consul Postum Tubertus, winning sabinyanok. But when the same wreath brought Mark Crassus for victory over the slave Spartacus, he rejected the award.

"Crassus and not trying to claim a large victory for the victory in the war with the slaves, but even walking triumph, called the ovation, which he provided, was considered inappropriate and degrading this honorary distinctions.

With such a small triumph of the military leader is not riding on the streets of Rome, standing in a chariot and four horses, in a laurel wreath, and accompanied by the sound of the trumpet. He went on foot, in sandals, the wreath of Myrtha, and was accompanied by his musician as well as himself triumfator produced not so much fighting, intimidating, but it is a peaceful experience. Besides, the flute considered a tool to exclusively peaceful and myrtle - a favorite plant of Aphrodite, more than all the other gods nenavidevshey violence and battle.

But the Senate was not satisfied with such a limited celebration of Crassus, and therefore let him, given the merit in saving the Motherland, be crowned not Mirtova, a laurel wreath "1.

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I. Mozheiko writes that gratuity wreaths of Rome had a very clear hierarchy, and the appearance of established rules. Each feat awarded a special wreath, and the number of people in the Roman empire was quite large. Initially, a laurel wreath, and then it began to make the leaves of gold, and a garland there other names. Golden wreath (corona aurea) were only triumfatory. It was "Corona obcidionalis", which first pleli of flowers and herbs, and then began to produce a golden flowers and golden grasses. This award crown of those who withdrew from the siege of the city, or fortress. "Corona ziwika" of oak leaves awarded to the person who saved comrades in battle. Award for maritime feats was the "Corona nawalis rostrata", which portrays the teeth rostrum. To crown relied strips, which increase the dignity of the awards.

Gratuity wreaths crowned head is not always the hero, sometimes wore a gold chain around his neck. Given they are not only military leader, or individual soldiers, they could get a Legion or a century. In such cases signy1 military units were decorated with not one but many awards. At Signe placed wreaths, falery and other insignia of the Legion, and the highest award for him was a banner Purple square, hang from the cross pole, topped with a Roman eagle.

At the end of the Roman Empire has become a common rewarding soldiers for special services rendered to the Emperors gold cervical chains. For example, the Roman historian Joseph Flavio wrote about awarding the emperor Vespasianom host sample (I at. ):

"Having already at the rank of tribune during Sarmatian war, when passing through the Danube many feats, he received as a gift at all, the gathering, four spears with tips, garland for the taking of two shafts, one civilian wreath, four chistyh2 banner, two gold bracelets , a gold neck chain and one bowl for the sacrifices of five pounds. "