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A271 - Imaginifer

ref. EK Castings Zinnfigur - A271 - Imaginifer

EK Castings A271 - Imaginifer - I- IIe s. AD
 
The imaginifer (Latin imaginifer) is a standard bearer wearing a bust on the shaft, a statuette or a medallion-bas-relief depicting the emperor or one of the members of the imperial family.
 
The image of the emperor in the form of a badge-standard (imago) appeared during the reign of Augustus as a consequence of the Senate's legislated introduction of the cult and deification of the emperors of Rome. The imago was an important element of propaganda and veneration of the imperial power, a reminder to the legion of loyalty to the oath given to the emperor.
Legion "imago" as the legion "eagle" has always been part of the first cohort of the legion.
 
The imaginifer was one of the signiferi in a legion in the times of the Roman Empire, who carried the imago—the image—of the emperor.
 
The imaginifer was added to the ranks of the legions when the Imperial Cult was first established during the reign of Augustus. The image was a three-dimensional portrait made from beaten metal. It was carried only in the leading cohort.
 
Source: wikipedia