Sceptre

Sceptre (Greek, skeptron, "staff"), originally a staff for the aged, but in the Iliad already the badge of military, judicial, or religious authority. Specimens of the sceptres used by Etruscan kings and priests, consisting of hollow gold truncheons adorned with beautiful designs, are preserved in the British Museum. In the days of the Roman republic an ivory sceptre was borne both by the consul and the victorious general (imperator). When the emperor had superseded both, the ivory staff was surmounted by a golden eagle, which, after the introdnction of Christianity, was frequently replaced by a cross. Both these types were in use during the Middle Ages. A fine collection of old English sceptres was destroyed by the Puritans. Of the six sceptres now preserved in the Tower, four date from the reign of Charles 11., one from that of James II., and one from the coronation of William and Mary.