Warhammer 40K: Roman Influences in the Imperium – PRIME
Even in the Warhammer 40K’s Imperium, real-world Roman influences remain.
Of all the factions in Warhammer 40k, perhaps the most well-known and enduring is the Imperium of Man, ruled over by the God-Emperor on his mechanical life support throne. While certainly not anything close to an enlightened or utopian society, it cannot be denied that the Imperium has maintained its status and presence in a cruel and uncaring universe, advancing humanity to a galactic superpower against overwhelming odds. Through the strength of arms, relentless exploration, and unshakeable faith in the divinity of their superhuman ruler, the human race has pushed themselves to the furthest reaches of the known galaxy.
Though a billion souls are lost every day to the horrors of the galaxy or the dogmatic practices of the Imperium itself, hundreds of billions more persist to carry out the Emperor’s vision of galactic conquest and the continuation of the human race among the stars. However, even though the Imperium has pushed humanity to the boundaries of innovation and evolution (though it has admittedly stagnated), some of the primary themes can be traced back to another great empire of the ancient world: Imperial Rome. It is impossible to examine the Imperium without tripping over more than a few common Roman themes, and though some will undoubtedly be missed, here are a few of the most prominent examples.
Laurels
In Greece and Rome, a laurel wreath was presented to an individual who completed a great task or held a position of power. Laurel wreaths were given to great poets and artisans or worn by the Roman Emperors, and during the 2004 Olympic games, a laurel wreath was given to the winners of each event in addition to their medals. The laurel wreath plays a similar role in the Imperium, designating warriors or leaders who have distinguished themselves in combat or leadership.
The Emperor himself is often depicted as wearing a crown of laurels, and the Emperor’s Champion of the Black Templar and several Ultramarines sport a wreath on their helms or pauldrons as a sign of their achievements. Pedro Cantor, chapter master of the Crimson Fists, has several instances of the laurel on his armor, sporting one on his helm, his belt, both his knees and his massive red power fist, which makes sense for a champion of humanity as storied and successful as a Chapter master.
Aquilla
One of the most enduring symbols of the Roman military might, the Aquila, translated to “eagle” from Latin, was prominently displayed on the battle banner of several Roman legions. Those warriors privileged enough to bear the standard into battle were called aquilifers, and every legion was only given one. They protected these icons with quasi-religious enthusiasm, going to great lengths to recover them should they be lost in battle. They were usually accompanied by the letters SPQR, representing Senatus Populusque Romanus, an abbreviated statement representing the government of the Roman Republic, and though several Imperial and funerary Aquilas have been found, none of the legionary Aquilas are known to have survived.
In the 41st millennium, however, the Imperial Aquila is everywhere, represented in the armor, battle standards, and even tech familiars of Imperial Inquisitors. Though several of the displayed Aquilas have a second head, representing the one used by the Holy Roman Empire of central Germany, the single-headed variant is still present on several Space Marine armors and flags. The idea of an eagle’s talons also plays into early Imperial iconography, with the Emperor himself wielding a lightning claw formed to resemble one and his pauldrons depicting an eagle in flight. The Adeptus Custodes, the most deadly fighting force in the Imperial arsenal, bears an eagle on their helms, and it is a mark of incredible honor to wear a gold eagle on one’s armor.
Warriors
Though Rome was famed for its beautiful architecture, exceptional innovation, and refined and fair government, its military might is the most iconic image one thinks of when speaking of Rome. Through advanced tactical acumen, advanced weaponry, and top-notch training, the Roman military arm conquered most of the European continent and even maintained a foothold on the British Isles for many years. Their armor and weapons are iconic, and almost anyone can recognize a Roman Legionnaire even with no advanced knowledge of the Roman military.
As such, it is relatively easy to see the Roman influence on the armies of the Imperium, especially the poster boys of the Adeptus Astartes, the Ultramarines. They bear similar weaponry and iconography, and one of their greatest champions, Cato Sicarius, even bears a plume on his helm identical to a high-ranking Legate. The Emperor’s original Space Marines, the Thunder Warriors, are even closer to Roman armor, and like Rome, they allowed the Emperor to expand his dominion to the far reaches of the galaxy. Though Chaos taint, Xenos threat, and internal decadence have caused the Imperium to suffer over the years, it cannot be denied that the militant arm has kept a firm hold on even the most distant of planets.
Thunder Warrior – John Blanche
Anything we missed?
