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]

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  Roman tuba found in archaeological site of Roman Villa di San Vincenzino, Italy
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  Reconstructed Roman tuba
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  Musicians playing a Roman tuba, a water organ (hydraulis), and a pair of cornua, detail from the Zliten mosaic, 2nd century AD
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  Roman cornu (left) and tuba (right) in a relief from the Museo Ostiense, Ostia Antica, Italy