Legio IV Macedonica
Fourth Legion Macedonica | |
---|---|
Legio IV Macedonica Legio Quarta Macedonica | |
Active | 48 BCE until the 4th century |
Country | Roman Republic (closing years) and Roman Empire |
Type | Roman legion |
Legio IV Macedonica ("Macedonian Fourth Legion"), was a
History
Early history
This legion was possibly founded in Italy during the 48 BCE Julius Caesar, who needed it in his war against
Cantabrian Wars
After Augustus became Emperor, in 30 BC it was moved to Juliobriga in Hyspania Tarraconensis to fight the Cantabrian Wars.[5] After the war the soldiers continued to serve as civil servants in Hispania.[3]
Early Service in Germania
Emperor Claudius likely transferred the legion to Mainz in Germania Superior to replace the XIV Gemina.[3][6] Probably in 41 AD.However. Some people think that the legion was transferred in 39 AD, when emperor Caligula waged war against the Germanic Chatti. While stationed in Germania the Fourth shared the fortress with the recently founded XXII Primigenia. The younger unit occupied the less honorable left-hand side, whereas IV Macedonica was living in the right-hand side.[3]
Year of Four Emperors
During the
Later service in Germania
Meanwhile, in Germania Inferior, the Batavians revolted. During the revolt the IV Macedonica guarded Mainz against attacks by Germanic Chatti, Usipetes and Mattiaci. Although it had been successful during the campaign, it was regarded with some suspicion by the new emperor. Because of this it was punished, reconstituted under a new name, IV Flavia Felix, and given a new symbol, the lion.[3][7][8] The lion was related to Hercules, Vespasian's favorite deity.[5]
After Germania
The new Legio IV Macedonica was moved to Burnum, a Roman military camp in Dalmatia. It would remain there until 70 CE. In the year 85 CE, the legion was transferred to Singudunum, Moesia. The legion would also be transferred to Syria[9] by general Corbulo.[10] During the reign of Domitian, it fought against the Alemmani and Dacians. Later it fought in Trajan's Dacian Wars. The Legio IV Macedonica would remain in Singudunum for the next 200 years. Afterwards it disappears from history.[5]
Epigraphic inscriptions
- - Caius Valerius Cai filius Voltinia (tribu) Donatus miles legionis IIII Macedonicae annorum XXXIX hic (...). Logrono, Spain. Hisp. Epi. 14626.
Attested members
Name | Rank | Time Frame | Source |
---|---|---|---|
Lucius Blattius | Centurio | Flavian Dynasty | [11] |
Lucius Martius Macer | Legatus | Unknown | [12] |
See also
References
- ^ Legions and Veterans: Roman Army Papers 1971–2000 By L. J. F. Keppie page 128
- ^ ISBN 978-1-329-76783-6.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Legio IIII Macedonica – Livius". www.livius.org. Retrieved 2020-08-04. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Dio, Cassius. Dio's Rome. Vol. III.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-62365-201-2.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link - ^ Spooner, William Archibald (1891). Cornelii Taciti historiarum libri qui supersunt: The histories of Tacitus, with introduction, notes, and an index. New York: Macmillan and Company. p. 501.
- ISBN 978-019-954-556-8.
- ISBN 978-184-884-138-3.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - ^ Dio, Cassius. Dio's Rome. Vol. IV.
- ^ Tacticus, Cornelius. Annals.
- ISBN 978-147-381-189-8.
- ISBN 978-0-7200-0514-1.