Fully in the picture - Two standard bearers of the 14th Legion Gemina Martia Victrix

Caius Valerius Secundus was a standard bearer in the 14th legion Gemina Martia Victrix. The 14th legion was stationed in Mainz twice; initially as one of the two founding legions of Mainz from 13/12 BC to 43 AD. It was then relocated to Britain, from where it returned to Mainz in 70 AD with the honorary name Martia Victrix (= the warrior, the victorious). Around the year 92, the legion was then permanently relocated to the Danube Limes.

The gravestones of the two standard bearers (signiferi) of the 14th Legion Gemina Martia Victrix - Quintus Luccius Faustus and Caius Valerius Secundus - are displayed separately in the museum. Both stones come from the same workshop; What they share is the disproportionate and awkward depiction of the body, along with a detailed representation of the equipment. This consists of chain mail, a double belt with an attached sword on the right and a dagger on the left, as well as the helmet with an animal skin cover typical of signiferi and a shield over the left shoulder. In their right hands, both soldiers hold a pole with decorations awarded for bravery, such as a wreath or disc-shaped phalerae. The different number of discs and the lack of a wreath on Secundus show that different decorations could be awarded to different units of the same legion.