KCROM067 The Lictors

The Lictors

Among the leading elements of any triumph were 'The Lictors'  in their blood-red robes, their 'fasces' gathered in tight bundles and held by blood-red ribbons.
'Fasces' is a bound bundle of wooden rods that includes an axe with its blade emerging. It symbolized a Roman Emperor's power to both punish and protect his subjects.
Many centuries later, the ancient Roman symbol of the 'Fasces' would become the foremost symbol of the Fascist Regime of Italy's dictator Benito Mussolini and would feature on flags, statues, badges and medals.