The Order of the Roman Eagle (Italian: Ordine dell'Aquila Romana, OAR) is the highest knightly order of Italy. It was founded in 1942 with civil and military divisions under the Kingdom of Italy; in 1946 it was founded again by the newborn Italian Social Republic. Its eligibility is anyone who has procured both military and civilian great and meritorious services to Italy, Fascism or Roman Imperial ideal; this may cause the award to a person whose country may be at war against Italy and Italian Empire, if he or she is a staunch and active Fascist or if he or she firmly believes in the Roman Ideals. The order is the highest order awarded in the Italian Empire, and its insignias take the honour place when they are worn.
The current Grand Master of the Order is Duce of the Italian Social Republic Italo Debalti, while the Chancellor of the Order is Lieutenant General Attilio Renzi.
Ranks[]
When established, the Order had the classical five classes: Knight Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight. Nowadays, and since 1947, it has six classes:
- Knight Grand Cross (Gold) (Cavaliere di Gran Croce d'oro)
- Knight Grand Cross (Silver) (Cavaliere di Gran Croce d'argento)
- Grand Officer (Grand'Ufficiale)
- Commander (Commendatore)
- Officer (Ufficiale)
- Knight (Cavaliere)
In addition, the Order has three linked Medals:
- Gold Medal
- Silver Medal
- Bronze Medal
Insignia[]
The Order Insignias consist of a golden Roman Eagle on purple background; the Eagle is fixed on various crosses from Knight to Grand Officer, while it is a plaque for Knights Grand Cross. On the verso there are three Fasces. Medals are not enamelled. Military medals have two crossed Roman swords behind the image on the foreground, while military crosses have two crossed Roman swords with blade pointing high and passing between the crosses arms.
- Medal: 32 mm diameter
- Knight: the Cross is 35 mm and is hanging by a ribbon; it is worn on the chest, left side;
- Officer: the Cross is 35 mm and is hanging by a ribbon; it is worn on the chest, left side; the ribbon has a rosette;
- Commander: the Cross is 50 mm and is hanging by a ribbon worn around the neck;
- Grand Officer: the Cross is 50 mm and is suspended by the ribbon worn around the neck; the Grand Officer also has a 65 mm four-pointed plaque-star
- Knight Grand Cross (Gold and Silver): the Cross is 50 mm and is hanging by a band worn over the shoulder, from right to left. Alongside the band, there is a 80 mm eight-pointed plaque-star
| Ribbons | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medaglia di bronzo | Medaglia d'argento | Medaglia d'oro | Cavaliere | Ufficiale |
| Ribbons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Commendatore | Grand'ufficiale | Cavaliere di Gran croce d'argento | Cavaliere di Gran croce d'oro |
