The aquilifer was a standard-bearer or signifer in the Roman army who was entrusted to hold the legion's most prized symbol, the aquila 'eagle.' The aquilifer was in a position of prestige since to lose the eagle was such a great disgrace. He carried a circular shield that could be strapped on to free his hands. If need be, he could remove the eagle from its pole and stick it inside his clothing to protect and hide it [Webster]. His pay was two or three times that of a legionary [P.A. Brunt]. The aquilifer was one of the group of Roman legionary personnel known as principales, whose number included the optiones, tessarius, cornicularius, speculator, and armorum custos, any of whom were potentially entitled to elevation to centurion [Allen]. Roman Empire.Net claims the position was so highly honored the aquilifer guarded the paychest.
Sources:
- "Pay and Superannuation in the Roman Army," by P.A. Brunt; Papers of the British School at Rome, Vol. 18, (1950), pp. 50-71.
- "The Advancement of Officers in the Roman Army," by George H. Allen; Supplementary Papers of the American School of Classical Studies in Rome, Vol. 2, (1908), pp. 1-25.
- Also consulted: the William Smith A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875.
- The Roman Imperial Army of the First and Second Centuries A.D., by Graham Webster (1998)
