The Roman tuba (plural: tubae ), or trumpet [1] [2] was a military signal instrument used by the ancient Roman military and in religious rituals. [3] [4] [5] They would signal troop movements such as retreating, [6] attacking, or charging, [7] [8] as well as when guards should mount, sleep, [9] or change posts. [7] [10] Thirty-six or thirty-eight tubicines (tuba players; singular tubicen) were assigned to each Roman legion. [11] [12] The tuba would be blown twice each spring in military, governmental, or religious functions. This ceremony was known as the tubilustrium . It was also used in ancient Roman triumphs. [13] [14] [15] It was considered a symbol of war and battle. [16] The instrument was used by the Etruscans in their funerary rituals. [17] It continued to be used in ancient Roman funerary practices. [18]
Roman tubae were usually straight cylindrical instruments with a bell at the end. [2] [5] [19] [20] They were typically made of metals such as silver, [21] bronze, or lead and measured around 4.33 ft or 1.31 meters. [6] [22] Their players, known as the tubicines or tubatores were well-respected in Roman society. [23] [24] [25] The tuba was only capable of producing rhythmic sounds on one or two pitches. [26] Its noise was often described as terrible, raucous, or hoarse. [27] Ancient writers describe the tuba as invoking fear and terror in those who heard it. [28]
Roman tuba found in archaeological site of Roman Villa di San Vincenzino, Italy
Reconstructed Roman tuba
Musicians playing a Roman tuba, a water organ (hydraulis), and a pair of cornua, detail from the Zliten mosaic, 2nd century AD
Roman cornu (left) and tuba (right) in a relief from the Museo Ostiense, Ostia Antica, Italy
