Indian Mounds and Earthworks. 101 



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than those of the North American Indian. In the earUest periods 

 men rallied aronnd the sacred person of the standard bearer, with 

 equal self-devotion, and perished in its defence with as much 

 heroism, as after generations have perilled life to guard the con- 

 secrated banner, or in our day have died to maintain the glory of 

 a national flag. So far back, even, as the time of Moses, standards 

 were employed to distinguish the different tribes of the children 

 of Israel. There was an assigned place to each banner in the 

 order of the march of the entire host ; and all men were directed 

 " to pitch their tents by their own standards, every one after their 

 families, according to the houses of their fathers." 



From that time to the present, in nearly all stages of society, 

 may be traced the existence of symbols which were adopted for 

 purposes of a like kind ; certain natural objects being commonly 

 selected to designate particular races, nations, or tribes. Among 

 many of such nations, these badges were emblazoned on their 

 military standards, and depicted on their commercial flags ; they 

 were sculptured upon their monuments, portrayed upon their 

 escutcheons, incorporated with their architecture, inscribed upon 

 their seals, and impressed upon their coinage. We are informed 

 that the kings of the Medes bore golden eagles upon their shields ; 

 that the Greeks, the Trojans, and other warlike nations, had de- 

 vices painted or sculptured upon their shields and helmets ;* and 

 that the ancient Germans bore standards before them in battle.f 



The Roman legions planted the imperial standard over a large 

 portion of the then known w^orld. By turns, the shores of Albion 

 have been invaded by the Roman eagle, the Danish raven, the 

 white horse of Saxony, and the Norman lion. 



And then, when the followers of the cross led on their mar- 

 shalled thousands to war against the crescent, what hosts of de- 

 vices, cognizances, achievements, and symbols, were emblazoned 

 on banner, crest, and shield ; — devices derived alike from natural 

 and from imaginary objects, and borne in commemoration of noble 



* " Mutemus clypeos, Danaumque insignia nobis 

 Araptemus : — sic fatus, deinde comantem 

 Androgei galeam, clypeique insigne decorum, 

 Induitur." 

 \ Egyptians, Persians, Hebrews, Assyrians, and Greeks, all carried ensigns of 

 different figures in their armies. Among the most celebrated standards was the 

 blac|i crowned eagle of Attila, king of the Huns. It was called Astur, and sup- 

 posed to be the same as the Schongar of the Tartars. We might also mention 

 the renowned Gonfalon and the sacred Oriflamme. 



