therefore, vexillationes. A miniature vexillum, mounted on a silver base, was sometimes awarded to officers as a recognition of their service upon retirement or reassignment. Civilians could also be rewarded for their assistance to the Roman legions. In return for outstanding service, a citizen was given an arrow without a head. This was considered a great honour and would bring the recipient much prestige. Discipline The military discipline of the legions was harsh. Regulations were strictly enforced, and a broad array of punishments could be inflicted. Minor punishments Castigatio – being hit by the centurion with his staff or animadversio fustium (Tac. Annals I, 23) Reduction of rations or to be forced to eat barley instead of the usual grain ration Pecuniaria mulcta – reduction in pay, fines or deductions from the pay allowance Flogging in front of the century, cohort or legion Whipping with the flagrum (flagellum, flagella), or "short whip" – a much more brutal punishment than simple flogging. The "short whip" was used by slave volunteers, volones, who constituted the majority of the army in the later years of the Roman Empire. Fustuarium – a severe form of punishment in which a soldier was cudgeled to death for deserting his post, stealing, false witness, sexual misconduct and repeating three times a same offense. Gradus deiectio – Reduction in rank Missio ignominiosa – Dishonourable discharge Loss of time in service advantages Militiae mutatio – Relegation to inferior service or duties. Munerum indictio – Additional duties Major punishments Fustuarium – a sentence for desertion or dereliction of duty, stealing, false witness, sexual misconduct and repeating three times a same offense. The legionary would be stoned or beaten to death by cudgels, in front of the assembled troops, by his fellow soldiers or those whose lives had been put in danger. Soldiers under sentence of fustuarium who escaped were not pursued but lived under sentence of banishment from Rome. In the event that a group of legionaries are to be subjected to this punishment, the tribune would make an alteration in order to spare the majority of the accused. The tribune would first select a handful of the guilty men, and those selected would be condemned to the original penalty under the fustuarium. The remainder of the accused would then be driven out of the camp and forced to live in an undefended location for a chosen period of time;