The Eagle Attacks by Mark Churms at Ozark Airfield Artworks Aviation Art

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"The Eagle Attacks"

Image size: 15 inches high x 11 inches wide

THE EAGLE ATTACKS - AQUILIFER LEGIO X "EQUESTRIS" 55B.C. S.P.Q.R.
A shaft of sunlight strikes down from the overcast sky as hordes of screaming, long
haired, blue-bodied warriors and their fearsome chariots line the shore awaiting the
Roman Tenth Legion's attempt to land. To these superstitious Legionaries, veterans
of Gaius Julius Caesar's favorite Legion, Britannia s a mysterious and misty island,
full of monsters and they hesitate to disembark. But their Aquilifer; chosen guard of
their sacred standard; leaps into the waves and calls for brave men to follow lest
disgrace befall their hallowed emblem - the Eagle.

Armed with the Gladius, a thrusting sword, and the Pugio, a dagger, the Aquilifer
(Eagle-Bearer) wears an animal skin as a mark of distinction. His oval shield, bronze
helmet and double-shouldered ringmail shirt will give him some protection against the
downward slashing attacks of the British warriors. Chosen for his character, strength
and determination to guard the sacred Standard with his life, he strides through the
waves towards the waiting hordes.

The Aquila (Eagle) he bears was personally sanctified and presented by Caesar
himself when the Legion was raised c. 59 B.C. It carries sacred emblems, shields and
badges. The Eagle's talons grip golden thunderbolts, as it stands poised for flight
against all enemies of Rome. At the top, a gold bar inscribed SPQR (Senatus Populus
Romanus) honors the Senate and the People. The lower bar, LEG X EQ , identifies
Legion X and its honorary title "Equestris". Below, a round bronze shield bears a
bull's head, this Legion's emblem and zodiac sign for Venus. The lower shield is a
horse's head (Equestris), above the shrine of Venus - legendary founder of the Julian
family.

It was during the Gallic Wars that Legio X gained their honorary title. Germanic
contempt for Caesar's cavalry (chiefly Gallic and from the Knightly class) led Hun
Chieftain Ariovistus to agree to meet Caesar if he would bring only horsemen, not
legionaries, with him. Caesar agreed but then ordered his existing cavalry to
dismount, so the Cohorts of Legio X could ride instead. With this new, elite force of
mounted legionaries, Caesar went on to confront Ariovistus! Thus the Legion gained
the honored title, "Equestris", normally the prerogative of the privileged classes.

The Legionaries will not dishonor their Eagle nor their heritage and rise up to follow.
They gain the shore and subdue the foe but find that Caesar has little appetite to stay.
He will return, briefly, once more. No Eagle will land on Britannia's shores again until
43 A.D. - Almost a century later - but then it will stay and watch over three centuries of
Roman rule.

Text by A. W. Johnson

THE EAGLE ATTACKS -
Roman Army Aquilfer 55 BC