View source for Ancient

{{SpaceMarinePortal}}
[[Image:CompanyAncientArt.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Ultramarines]] Company Ancient.{{Fn|1}}]]
'''Ancients''' are the '''[[Space Marine Standards|Standard]] Bearers''' in a [[Space Marines Chapter]].

==Company Ancient==
[[Image:Scirpico.png|thumb|right|150px|Company Ancient [[Scirpico]] carrying the [[5th Company (Howling Griffons)|Fifth Company]] [[Standard]]{{Fn|12}}]]
'''Company Ancients''', also known as '''Company Standard Bearers''', are [[Space Marine]]s who has shown honour and combat prowess sufficient to be granted the right to carry the [[Company Banner]] into battle.  They often form part of a [[Space Marine Command Squad|Command Squad]] and fight alongside the company's [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]].{{Fn|1}}

One of the most common specialists found fighting alongside [[Space Marine Veteran|Veteran Squad]]s, Company Ancients have the privilege of wielding the Company Standard into battle. Each such standard is an ancient relic, steeped in history and deeply revered by the warriors of the Company. Many have been carried over battlefields for hundreds and even thousands of years. Every Space Marine of a Company, from the most seasoned veteran to newest recruit, fights harder in the presence of a Company Ancient and his standard. Thus it is the duty of the Company Ancient to never let his banner drop while he still draws breath. Losing his banner while still living is seen as the most terrible and shameful dishonor. To this end, these individuals are invariably great warriors.{{Fn|1}}

Chapter variations of the Company Ancient include the [[Brotherhood Banner|Brotherhood Ancient]], a title used by the [[Grey Knights]].{{Fn|2}}

====Notable Company Ancients====
*[[Scirpico]] — [[Howling Griffons]] [[5th Company (Howling Griffons)|Fifth Company]].{{Fn|12}}
*[[Korelon]] - [[Silver Templars]].{{Fn|4}}
*[[Yeku]] - [[White Scars]] [[3rd Company (White Scars)|3rd Company]].{{Fn|5}}
{{clear}}

==Bladeguard Ancient==
[[Image:BladeguardAncient.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[Bladeguard Ancient]] (9th Edition){{Fn|3}}]]
'''Bladeguard Ancients''' are Standard Bearers assigned to [[Bladeguard Veteran]] squads which carry their Chapter's most precious standards into battle. The most revered of these incorporate the remains of fallen heroes of the Chapter.{{Fn|6}}

==Chapter Ancient==
The '''Chapter Ancient''' is the bearer of the [[Space Marine Standards|Chapter's Banner]].{{Fn|9}} They typically serve within the [[Space Marine Honour Guard Squad|Honour Guard]].{{Fn|10}}

One battle-brother amongst the [[Honour Guard]] may have the distinction of carrying the [[Space Marine Standards|banner of their Chapter]] into battle. This is a sacred task, one borne with immense dignity and gravitas. Whether providing a rallying point to the warriors fighting around him, or racing to defiantly plant the standard upon a contested elevation and in doing so claim the battlefield for his Chapter, the Ancient serves to inspire all around him.{{Fn|10}}

====Notable Chapter Ancients====
*[[Agrippa (Chapter Ancient)|Agrippa]] - [[Ultramarines]]{{Fn|11}}

==Images==
<gallery heights="200px" mode="packed">
Ancient10th.jpg|Company Ancient (10th Edition){{Fn|8}}
Ancient9th.jpg|Company Ancient (9th Edition){{Fn|7}}
DarragoMini.jpg|[[Terminator]] Ancient
GreyHunterStandard.jpg|[[Space Wolf]] ancient
Standard4th.jpg|Standard Bearer (4th edition)
Companyancient3rd.jpg|Standard Bearer (3rd Edition)
StandardBearer2nd.jpg|Standard Bearer (2nd Edition)
Dark Angels Standard Bearer.jpg|A [[Dark Angels]] Standard Bearer (2nd Edition)
</gallery>

==Sources==
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (8th Edition, 2nd Codex)]], pg. 63
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Grey Knights (7th Edition)]] — ''Chapter Organisation''
*{{Endn|3}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/06/13/warhammer-40000-preview-whats-in-the-boxgw-homepage-post-1/ Warhammer Community: Warhammer 40,000 Preview – What’s in the Box? (Posted on 13/06/2020)] (Last accessed on 13 June 2020)
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Silver Templars (Sourcebook)]], pg. 29
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Hunt for Voldorius (Novel)]], Chapter 1
*{{Endn|6}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (9th Edition)]], pg. 147
*{{Endn|7}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2021/12/27/wield-sword-and-standard-with-this-imperious-new-primaris-ancient/ Warhammer Community: Wield Sword and Standard With This Imperious New Primaris Ancient (posted 27/12/2021)] (last accessed 27/12/2021)
*{{Endn|8}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2023/08/31/nova-open-previews-codex-space-marines-and-the-heroes-of-the-chapter/ Warhammer Community: NOVA Open Previews – Codex: Space Marines and the Heroes of the Chapter (posted 30/8/2023)] (last accessed 31/8/2023)
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Insignium Astartes]], pg. 17
*{{Endn|10}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (8th Edition)]], pg. 66
*{{Endn|11}}: [[How to Paint Space Marines]], pg. 49 
*{{Endn|12}}: [[White Dwarf 309 (UK)]], pgs. 112-120

{{SMInfantry}}

[[Category:Troops (Space Marines)]]