text: why do judges use a gavel in court? i've never seen this answered anywhere...why do judges use a gavel in court?  i mean, what is the origin of it?  does it come from the roman fascii or perhaps the kings sceptre? don't know how accurate this history is. http://www.woodentoys-uk.co.uk/gavel%20history.html  in the us, the gavel was taken from european backgrounds and was used to quiet the masses in order to call a meeting or court to order. very few judges today actually use a gavel, but most have one on the bench for appearances sake (the image of a judge banging a gavel to get control over a courtroom is a hollywood scenario only)