Roman tuba

The tuba of ancient Rome is a military signal trumpet, quite different from the modern tuba. The tuba (from Latin tubus, "tube") was produced around 500 BC. Its shape was straight, in contrast to the military buccina or cornu, which was more like the modern sousaphone in curving around the body. Its origin is thought to be Etruscan, and it is similar to the Greek salpinx. About four feet in length, it was made usually of bronze, and was played with a detachable mouthpiece.

Tuba is one of the most important music instruments in the military. It can be used for parades and funerals, but the most important way to use it is to give orders to soldiers. The main purpose of this instrument is to amplify the voice. People who play this instrument are called tubicines. In representations of people playing this instrument , they are usually pointing it up or down, rather than holding it level. They also just use one hand to hold it, as the other hand is placed on the hip to help dilate the torso.

1.Daniel A. Russell, Professor of Acoustics & Director of Distance Education Graduate Program in Acoustics, Instruments of Antiquity as Illustrated in The Adventures of Asterix the Gaul, The Pennsylvania State University.

2.John Ziolkowski, The Roman Bucina: A Distinct Musical Instrument?

...
Wikipedia