Hi, not discouraging anyone from providing a more in-depth answer describing the symbolism of fasces and it's connection to Fascism, but you can get started on these threads:
Significance to the Etruscans What did the Romans assimilate from the Etruscans and what of them reached us? featuring /u/ctesibius and /u/xenophontheathenian
and in Ancient Rome "Open Carry" in Roman times - see comments by /u/TheJucheisLoose and /u/benpire
and Fascism My "uncle" served in World War II, when he died we found these. Can someone tell me what they are? featuring /u/TactfulFractal and Before Mussolini took over in Italy, how imminent was the threat of Bolshevism and a full scale socialist uprising? Was this a genuine threat to the Liberal State or just something that was overstated by Liberal politicians and Fascists? featuring /u/Son_of_Kong