Inschriften auf römischen Holzfässern aus dem vicus Tasgetium (Eschenz, CH) (original) (raw)

Gebohrt, gedrechselt, gehobelt: Holzfunde aus dem römischen Vicus Tasgetium (Eschenz)

Gebohrt, gedrechselt, gehobelt : Holzfunde aus dem römischen Vicus Tasgetium (Eschenz) Autor(en): Brem, Hansjörg / Leuzinger, Urs Objekttyp: Article Zeitschrift: AS : Archäologie Schweiz : Mitteilungsblatt von Archäologie Schweiz = Archéologie Suisse : Bulletin d'Archéologie Suisse = Archeologia Svizzera : Bollettino di Archeologia Svizzera

Inschriften an inkrustierten römischen Schwertern von Øvre Stabu und Egge (Norwegen)

Inscriptions on the inlaid Roman swords found in Øvre Stabu and Egge (Norway). The two swords found in Øvre Stabu and Egge (Norway) bear inlaid inscriptions consisting of the letters SF . So far, their interpretation has been inconsistent with the principles of Latin epigraphy and with our knowledge of the Roman world. In this paper it is proposed to read the abbreviation as s(igni) f(er). The analogies supporting this interpretation may be found in epigraphic materials and it can be explained on the linguistic level as well. The abbreviation is a compound of the noun signa and the verb ferre — to carry. Soldiers known as signiferi (standard‑bearers) belonged to the category of principales (junior officers) and carried signa (standards), military emblems of great importance in combat and during military trainings. Signa played a major role in military ideology and religion, too. Such a sword, whose decoration referred to the ideology of victory and — by the abbreviation SF — identified its owner, highlighted the position of a signifer in the army.