Skip to playerSkip to main content
How did Roman commanders communicate with soldiers when battle noise made shouted orders difficult to hear?

The Roman army used military wind instruments, including the straight tuba and curved cornu, to help transmit signals and organize military activity. These instruments had distinct designs, and their calls formed part of Rome's military soundscape.

This cinematic 3D CGI reconstruction explores the signal-bearers behind Roman military communication. The exact meaning of every ancient call is not completely clear, so the video focuses on the documented role of military instruments rather than inventing a universal signal code.

Subscribe to Empire Echo for cinematic stories about Roman soldiers, ancient weapons, military engineering and forgotten battlefield history.

#RomanArmy #RomanHistory #AncientWarfare #MilitaryHistory #EmpireEcho
Transcript
00:01How did Rome send commands through the chaos of battle?
00:05With horns!
00:08The straight tuba and curved cornu helped transmit signals beyond the reach of a voice.
00:16Different calls helped coordinate the army, though exact signal meanings remain debated.

Recommended