The greatest disgrace would be the loss of the eagle standard.
Each legion possessed an eagle standard, symbolizing the power and grandeur of Rome. The standard was nearly revered by Roman legions and citizens alike.
When Crassus went to battle the Parthians, he lost these standards. Such a loss was a deep embarrassment for Rome. To surrender so many standards to an adversary was a direct affront to Rome itself.
Years later, Augustus rose to be Rome’s first emperor.
Augustus aimed for a significant triumph over the Parthians and dispatched his top aide and foremost general of that time, Agrippa, to accomplish this.
What were Agrippa and Augustus after? To dominate Parthia? To seize its capital? No.
Their sole aim was to reclaim the legion standards.
Agrippa, true to his reputation, managed to negotiate the return of these standards.
When the standards were restored to Rome, the city erupted in celebration. Romans thronged the streets, reveling as if Rome had achieved a monumental victory. For them, the return of the standards was indeed a victory.
Losing a battle was bad enough — but losing the standards signified a real defeat. As long as the eagle was upheld, Rome remained indomitable.
