Roman Lettering

[Anonymous]

My question is pretty simple, When did the letter "U" come into use in Rome, if ever? I'm trying to get my Vexillum properly laid out and don't want to have one saying "Leg III AUG" is that's not proper.<br>
<br>
Thanks! <p>Marcus Bruttius Romulus<BR>
Optio<BR>
Legio III Augusta</p><i></i>

[Thiudareiks Flavius]

The letter 'U' didn't develop until later. Early medieval uncial alphabets first began differentiating between 'V' and 'U' in around the Seventh Century.<br>
<br>
Cheers, <p>Tim O'Neill / Thiudareiks Flavius<BR>
<P>
Visit Clades Variana - Home of the Varus Film Project<br>

</p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Excellent!!<br>
<br>
I didn't think it began until much later...I guess if my calligraphy materials and books weren't stuffed into boxes awaiting the move, Id've been able to look it up on my own! <p>Marcus Bruttius Romulus<BR>
Optio<BR>
Legio III Augusta</p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

I have a question about my own vexillum....<br>
<br>
On it I am putting this:<br>
<br>
LEG<br>
XXX<br>
<br>
vv<br>
<br>
The "vv" meaning "Ulpia Victrix". Is this correct? How would the Romans have pronouned a "U" sound? <p>Tiberius Lantanius Magnus<BR>
CO/Optio,<BR>
Legio XXX "Ulpia Victrix"<BR>
(Matt)</p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

V was pronounced "oo" as in "moon" or "w" depending on if it's followed by a vowel or a consonant. <p><BR><p align=center><font color=gold><font size=2>
_________________________________________________<BR>
VTINAM MODO SVBIVNCTIVO NVNQVAM MALE VTARIS<BR>
_________________________________________________</font></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

So what letters do I need for my legion title then? <p>Tiberius Lantanius Magnus<BR>
CO/Optio,<BR>
Legio XXX "Ulpia Victrix"<BR>
(Matt)</p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Hi Matt!<br>
<br>
You don't have a real problem here: It's LEG XXX VV in the inscriptions (cf. AE 1994, 01278b [Xanten/Germania inf.] or CIL 13, 08832 [also from Germania inf.]), so it should read the same on your <i> vexillum</i>.<br>
<br>
Greetings,<br>
<br>
Martin <p></p><i></i>

[Rado]

SALVE
Dear friends
In our town Dobrich in Bulgaria we are in procedure to establish our club "Province Scythia Minor" with LEGIO IIII SCYTHICA in the club in which we plan to be active in re-enacting historical restorations.
We get forward and it is the question of time everything to be legitimate. In this order we’ve started to make our vexillum !
We have the idea how it should looks like but I would like to ask you for advice about the name of the legion!
How should we write it out (embroidery) in order the text to be most authentic, and what abbreviations we should use in Latin!?
This is some of the examples I have!
LEG•IIII on the second row under the Capricorn SC, SCY, SCYT, SCYTH, SCYTHIC
Which one is most appropriate?
SCYTICAE,SCHYT ,SCYTICA???
I will really appreciate any help
Vale bene Rado

[Peroni]

This inscription shows it abbreviated to LEG IIII SCYT..
CIL 03, 01698 (p 1024) = CIL 03, 13813b = D 02281 = ILJug-01, 00057 = ILJug-01, 00060 = IMS-01, p 162 = AE 1910, 00176

Ti(berio) Caesare Au[g(usti) f(ilio)] / Augusto imperato[re] / pont(ifice) max(imo) tr(ibunicia) pot(estate) XXXV / leg(io) IIII Scyt(hica) leg(io) V Maced(onica)

This one as LEG IIII SCYTH...
ILJug-01, 00056 = AE 1944, 00070

Ti(berio) Claudio Drusi f(ilio) Caesare / Aug(usto) Germanico pontif(ice) max(imo) / trib(unicia) pot(estate) VI co(n)s(ule) desig(nato) IIII / leg(io) IIII Scyth(ica) leg(io) V Mac(edonica) / montibus excisis [factisque anc]onibus [s(ub) c(ura)] / Mar(ti) Macri leg(ati) Aug(usti) pro pr(aetore)

However...
AE 2001, 01956 shows it abbreviated to LEG IIII SCHYT But being an English speaker I would avoid this one! :wink: )

Leg(io) IIII Sc{h}yt(hica) / Operosa Felix

So, either can be on the vexillum!

[MARCvSVIBIvSMAvRINvS]

I decided to write the V when used as a U in small lettering, where applicable...

CONSvL

VEXILLvM

VRSvS

For me that works, though i would not have a clue whether it was used in Roman times LOL

M.VIB.M.

[Rado]

Thanks for your attention. Me and my brother already prepare the wax models for Signum and Vexillum and cast them from bronze. Legion is with his full name LEG IIII SCYTHICA
VALE