The laurel wreath in ancient Rome was a symbol of victory. It was one of the greatest awards of military merits. Corona triumphalis had foremost sacral symbolism, which was influenced by the material from which it was made. Laurels were attributed to the purgatory properties, protecting the triumpher, his army, family and home against revenge from his opponent. The imposition of the laurel wreath probably served for both cleansing and protective functions. There were several types of coronae triumphalis. They were subject to meaning and symbolic changes that lasted until the period of the Roman Empire.