Who Used Standards
The Roman Military all used Standards as a way to rally the troops during battle, but only soldiers who had continued to serve after their original twenty years of enlisted service were allowed to carry them. They were decorated war veterans who often were paid more than the ordinary soldier because the responsibility of carrying the Standards was so great. Often to distinguish themselves, they wore animal hide (like that of a bear or lion) over their armor. This was meant to symbolize that the power of Rome surpasses that of nature. Bearers of different standards had different titles. One who carried The Aquila was the Aquilifer; the bearer of The Vexillum was the Vexillarius; the bearer of the Imago was the Imaginifer; the Draco was carried by the Draconarius; and the bearer of The Signum (like The Manus) was the Signifer.