Legio VIII Augusta

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Map of the Roman empire in AD 125, under emperor Hadrian, showing the Legio VIII Augusta, stationed on the river Rhine at Argentorate (Strasbourg, France), in Germania Superior province, from AD 75 to at least 371
File:Aureus-Septimius Severus-l8augusta-RIC 0011,Aureus.jpg
Aureus struck in 193 by Septimius Severus to celebrate VIII Augusta, one of the legions supporting his fight for purple.

Legio octava Augusta ("Augustus' Eighth Legion") was a legion of the Imperial Roman army originally founded by Pompey in 65 BC, along with the 6th, 7th & 9th, and continuing in service to Rome for at least 400 years thereafter.[1]

In republican service

They were ordered to Cisalpine Gaul around 58 BC by Julius Caesar, and marched with him throughout the entire Gallic Wars. In 49, at the very beginning of the civil war between Caesar and Pompey, the Eighth Legion accompanied Caesar across the Rubicon into Italy. By the end, they stood against him at the Battle of Pharsalus. The legion was also present in Egypt, when Caesar captured Egypt for Cleopatra. In 46 BC the legion took part in the Battle of Thapsus (modern Tunisia), shortly before their disbandment.

In 44 BC, Augustus reconstituted the legion which had helped him attain the control of the Empire. This loyalty gave the legion the cognomen Augusta.

In imperial service

VIII Augusta took part in the Roman invasion of Britain.

In 69 AD, the Year of the Four Emperors, following the suicide of Nero, the legion took the part of Vespasian, the new emperor. The legion also fought in Parthia with Septimius Severus (who ruled from 193 until 211) and with his successors.

Records indicate that they were still active during the first years of the 4th century at the Rhine frontier. This means that the history of the legion covers more than 400 years of almost continuous service. In 371 it was stationed in Argentoratum (Strasbourg), in Germania Superior, according to an inscription. Later, the Roman general Stilicho, was compelled to move the German legions back to Italy to defend it against the Visigothic invasion.

According to Notitia Dignitatum, around 420 an Octaviani unit was under the Magister Peditum of Italia; it is possible that this unit was the old VIII Augusta, which was originally a comitatensis unit, but that had been promoted to palatina status.

See also

References

  1. Caesar's Legion, Stephen Dando-Collins, 269-270

External links