the banner or standard borne before the Roman emperors in the wars. The labarum consisted of a long lance, with a staff a-top, crossing it at right angles; from which hung a rich streamer, of a purple colour, adorned with precious stones. Till the time of Constantine it had an eagle painted on it; but that emperor, in lieu thereof, added a cross with a cipher expressing the name of Jesus.

This standard the Romans took from the Germans, Dacae, Sarmatæ, Pannonians, &c. whom they had overcome. The name labarum was not known before the time of Constantine; but the standard itself, in the form we have described it, abating the symbols of Christianity, was used by all the preceding emperors. Some derive the word from labor, as if this finished their labours; some from εὐλαβεία, "reverence, piety;" others from λαβεῖν, "to take;" and others from λαβεῖν, "to spoil."