A complete dictionary of the Greek and Roman antiquities explaining the obscure places in classic authors and ancient historians relating to the religion, mythology, history, geography and chronology of the ancient Greeks and Romans, their ... rites and customs, laws, polity, arts and engines of war : also an account of their navigations, arts and sciences and the inventors of them : with the lives and opinions of their philosophers / compiled originally in French ... by Monsieur Danet ; made English, with the addition of very useful mapps.

LABARUM,

The Standard of the Ro∣man Emperours, carried before them in the Wars, and adored by the Soldiers. It was a long Spear, with a Staff set cross-way at the upper end thereof, and from that Staff hung down a rich Standard of Purple co∣lour, edged with a Fringe, and beset with precious Stones. The Roman Emperors carried in their Colours or Labarum, an Eagle Paint∣ed or Embroidered with Gold; as we may observe in the reverse of a Medal of Max∣entius, wherein this Tyrant is represented armed with his Breast Plate, holding with one hand the Labarum, wherein an Eagle is drawn. But Constantine the Great, in the War against Maxentius, where he vanquished him by the sign of the Cross, which he saw in the Clouds, Crowned the Labarum with a rich Crown, beset with precious Stones, and ordered that this Cypher P, i••e! Christ, with these two Letters, A and Ω, to signifie that Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end; should be wrought in Gold upon the Purple Stand∣ard. We have a Medal of Constance, wherein the Emperour is represented with his Coat of Armour on, with his right hand holding up Victory, which Crowns his head with Laurels, and with the left hand he carries the Labarum.

Those who did bear the Labarum, in the Armies, were called, Labariferi.