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All Site ContentJulius CaesarAct 5Scene 3
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A Roman Legion's Battle Ensign
Context and Language Videos
Act 5,
Scene 3
Lines 1-8

An explanation of the significance of a Roman legion's battle ensign in Act 5, Scene 3 of myShakespeare's Julius Caesar. 

myShakespeare | Julius Caesar 5.3 Historical Reference: A Roman Legion’s Battle Ensign

[Alarums. Enter Cassius and Titinius.]

Cassius

O, look, Titinius, look, the villains fly!
Myself have, to mine own, turned enemy.
This ensign here of mine was turning back;
I slew the coward and did take it from him.

Titinius

O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early,
Who having some advantage on Octavius
Took it too eagerly. His soldiers fell to spoil,
Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed.
Video Transcript: 

SERVILIA: The importance of a Roman legion’s battle standard can’t be overstated. It represented the spirit of the legion, and served as a rallying point for the troops during a battle.

 

RALPH: It also served a practical purpose. Since it could be seen from anywhere on the battlefield, it was used to signal commands to the men, telling them to attack, hold the line, or execute a flanking maneuver.

 

SERVILIA: A captured standard, or one that is fleeing from the field of battle, signaled certain defeat, which explains why Cassius had no choice but to kill his retreating standard bearer in an effort to keep his battle line firm.