What was the original story about breaking a bundle of arrows?

Question

I saw such a scene in "Robin Hood" movie. The point is that one arrow can be easily broken, but several arrows cannot. This is a metaphore of solidarity - in unity there is strength.

Tell me please, what was the original concept of this story - who invent this? I would like to hear it without any modern, pop-culture ammendments..

Answer 1

If you look closely at many of the poles for flags or metal insignia of the roman legions as well as the ceremonial staves of the roman senate you will find the central pole surrounded by smaller dowls and wrapped with leather thongs.

I think it might have once been or is still on some U.S. Coins.

Answer 2

To expand a bit on the post above, yes the symbol of the Roman Empire was the bundle of straw or twigs which together could not be broken; there was usually an axe protuding from the center of the bundle. As to arrows, I can't say, but you are correct this symbol appeared on the back of the Mercury dime, which was the model used until shortly after WW2 when it was replaced with the curent Roosevelt dime. Ready for the irony? This symbol was known from Roman times as the fasces, and was the adopted symbol of the Italian Fascist party, named for it also, obviously---so the USA had the symbol of fascism on its own coins even as it was at war with it!