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54-698: German Legion may refer to: Legio I Germanica (48 BC - AD 70), a legion in the Roman army King's German Legion (1803-1816), a unit of the British Army Russian–German Legion (1812-1815), a unit of the Imperial Russian Army and, later, the Prussian Army German Legion (Philhellenes)  [ el ] (c. 1823), a unit of volunteers from Germany in

108-410: A tribune , to Tiberius with the demands. The men settled down to await the reply. Word of the mutiny spread to construction crews of the legions in nearby Nauportus . Arresting their commander, Aufidienus Rufus , they forced him to march at the head of the return column carrying heavy baggage and asking him all the while how he liked it. They plundered vici as they went. Arriving in camp they raised

162-807: A few soldiers to take up positions opposite the fortifications and further ordered Juba and Labienus to camp their Numidian cavalry to the south of the marshes. The main army marched all the way to the eastern approach and started building a camp opposite Caesar's. To cover his workforce Scipio drew up the rest of his army in battle formation. Caesar knew that the Optimates' soldiers were tired from marching all day and drew up his well rested army to face them. Caesar had twelve legions at Thapsus: five newly raised legions; Legio XXV, XXVI, XXVIII, XXIX and XXX, and seven veteran legions; Legio V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XIII and XIV. Caesar's veteran legions had been campaigning for many years and all of them were understrength. He also had

216-400: A large number of archers, slingers and 3000–5000 cavalry. All in all Caesar had around 60,000–70,000 soldiers when he arrived at Thapsus. The Optimates had eight Roman and three Numidian legions; around 55,000 legionaries. They also had 14,000–16,000 cavalry, c. 20,000 light infantry and 60 elephants. Their army totaled around 90,000 soldiers. Scipio had drawn up his legions in three lines in

270-514: A legion from Germania Superior, XXII Primigenia , attempted to reinforce them, they were made to surrender in March 70. The two legions who had made an abortive rescue attempt, I Germanica and XVI Gallica later surrendered as well. It would be several months before emperor Vespasian could muster a strong force, led by Quintus Petillius Cerialis , to restore control over the Rhineland and subdue

324-412: A number of governors discussed his removal. Two of these politicians were Lucius Clodius Macer , governor of Africa and Gaius Julius Vindex , governor of Gallia Lugdunensis . When the governor of Hispania Tarraconensis , Servius Sulpicius Galba , rebelled against Nero, both of them supported him. The Legio I Germanica supported Nero. They defeated Gaius Julius Vindex . However, Galba still became

378-670: A powerful cavalry force and many thousands of light infantry. Meanwhile, one of Caesar's admirals, Sallust , had captured a large Optimate grain supply on the Cercina islands and the XIII and XIV legions had arrived in Ruspina. With these reinforcements Caesar went on the offensive. He defeated the Optimates' Gallic and Germanic auxiliary cavalry in a skirmish near Ruspina; Labienus and the Optimates' right wing cavalry had charged some of Caesar's Spanish auxiliaries, but he had advanced too far from

432-516: A riot. Attempting to quell it, Blaesus had loyal troops throw the rioters in the guardhouse, but they were set free, the tribunes were ejected from camp, and a harsh centurion murdered. The soldiers were on the point of killing each other when Tiberius' own son, Drusus Julius Caesar arrived in camp with some troops, sealed the gates and proceeded to investigate and settle the mutiny in tribunal. The men rejecting his proposals, he sent them to their tents and sent men to speak to them personally. Gradually

486-611: A unit of the Freikorps in the Baltic Condor Legion (1936-1939), a unit of volunteers from Germany in the Spanish Civil War See also [ edit ] List of military legions French Legion (disambiguation) British Legion (disambiguation) American Legion (disambiguation) Legion (disambiguation) Ostlegionen (Eastern Legions) [REDACTED] Topics referred to by

540-497: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Legio I Germanica There are three theories about I Germanica recruitment. The most favored is that it was raised by Julius Caesar in 48 BC to fight in the civil war against Pompey . The Legion first saw action at the Battle of Dyrracchium . In that case it would have fought in the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC. Another claim

594-458: Is that the legion was raised by Pompey and it fought against Caesar at Pharsalus, Thaspus , and Munda . The third theory attributes its recruitment to Gaius Vibius Pansa Caetronianus , a partisan of Caesar, who died in the Battle of Forum Gallorum against Mark Antony in 43 BC. Legio I would have been recruited in that year for that campaign. However recruited, Legio I was inherited by Augustus and therefore ought to have been entitled to

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648-551: The Battle of Dyrrhachium . Still outnumbered, Caesar recovered and went on to decisively defeat the Optimates under Pompey at Pharsalus . Pompey then fled to Egypt, where to Caesar's consternation, Pompey was assassinated. The remaining Optimates , not ready to give up fighting, regrouped in the African provinces of Mauretania . Their leaders were Marcus Cato (the younger) and Caecilius Metellus Scipio . Other key figures from

702-948: The Greek War of Independence , at the call of Friedrich Thiersch German Democratic Legion (1849-1849), a unit involved in the Revolution of 1848 in Baden British German Legion (1853-1856), a unit of the British Army in the Crimean War Independent Battalion of New York Volunteer Infantry (1862-1864), also known as German Legion , a unit of the Union Army during the American Civil War German Legion (1919)  [ de ] ,

756-618: The cognomen Augusta after distinguished service under his eyes; however, there was no Legio I Augusta. That title was stripped after a defeat in the Cantabrian wars and the loss of its standard to the Astur and Cantabrian peoples. The legion would fight against Sextus Pompey in Sicilly in 36 BCE. After Augustus lost a battle, he requested the Legio I Germanica as reinforcements. After

810-544: The Batavian revolt. In the wake of this, the remains of I Germanica were combined with Legio VII Galbiana to become the VII Gemina . The legion was probably disbanded in the year 70. Battle of Thapsus The Battle of Thapsus was a military engagement that took place on April 6, 46 BC near Thapsus (in modern Tunisia ). The forces of the Optimates , led by Quintus Caecilius Metellus Scipio , were defeated by

864-585: The Cantabrians and Asturians . Dio Cassius ( 54.11.5 ) says that one legion was stripped of its title, Augusta, after suffering reverses in that campaign. The two references are believed to be to the same legion, accounting for its early missing title and emblem. While in Spain they helped build the colonia Acci. Around the turn of the century, Legio I appears on the Rhine frontier. They may have been moved to

918-460: The Numidian army under Suburra) they decided to commit suicide by dueling each other so they could die in an honorable way; Petreius managed to kill Juba in the duel and then had a slave kill him. Following the battle, Caesar renewed the siege of Thapsus, which eventually fell. He then proceeded to Utica , where Cato was garrisoned. On news of the defeat of his allies, Cato committed suicide. Caesar

972-448: The Optimates' IV and VI legion, to change sides. Still the Optimates refused to do battle on Caesar's terms so he retreated back to Ruspina. Two more legions, the VII and VIII, arrived, bringing up his numbers to twelve legions. Supply problems forced Caesar to march his entire army south-west foraging. He sent his fleet under Cispius and Aquila to blockade Hadrumetum and Thapsus. Caesar foraged

1026-423: The Optimates, led by Petreius and Labienus, almost overcame Caesar's force, but in the end Caesar was able to extract his men and return to Ruspina. Caesar decided to stay in camp around Ruspina, improve its defences and wait for more troops to arrive. The Optimates were gathering their forces near Hadrumetum; Scipio and the main army arrived bringing up their forces to 40,000 heavy infantry (about eight legions ),

1080-582: The Rhine in order to help emperor Tiberius's war against the Vindelicia . The Annales of Tacitus state that they received standards from Tiberius , but when that was is not clear. This statement is problematic because only new or reconstituted legions received standards. Other theories suggest they received the standard after winning a battle near Lake Constance . Because of their service in Germania

1134-474: The XIII and XIV – mixing recruit and veteran legion was one of Caesar's trademarks), he had put his slingers, archers and the cavalry on the flanks, the V legion was split in two and kept as a reserve behind the flanks to counter the elephants. Caesar's position was typical of his style, with him commanding the right. The two armies faced each other waiting for one to move with neither side committing to battle for some time, Caesar's soldiers noticed something odd in

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1188-491: The area around Aggar and Zeta. The Optimates shadowed him with their army using their superior cavalry numbers to harass Caesar while foraging. In the beginning of February, Caesar arrived at Thapsus and besieged the city, surrounding it with a double line of circumvallation . His fleet had already arrived and was blockading Thapsus from the sea. Outside of the city was the Marsh of Moknine ; leaving only two landward approaches to

1242-487: The army on the Rhine, which was reinforced to eight legions. When Tiberius returned to Italy in 13 AD, Augustus appointed Drusus' son, Germanicus , commander of the eight legions on the Rhine. In the following year Augustus died, Tiberius being his successor. Subsequently Junius Blaesus , commander of three legions in summer camp in Pannonia , gave the men a holiday. A soldier who had been a claqueur, Percennius, addressed

1296-536: The battle being put to the sword by the furious soldiers in spite of Caesar's repeated orders to spare them, which were ignored. Plutarch reports that according to some sources Caesar had an epileptic seizure just before he ordered his lines forward, causing confusion and orders to be disobeyed. Scipio, Labienus, Juba, Afranius and Petreius managed to escape from their defeat at the Battle of Thapsus. Labienus, with Sextus Pompeius and Varus, fled to Gnaeus Pompeius who

1350-519: The bodies into the Rhine. The main command was isolated and the men ran the camp. Hearing of the mutiny, Germanicus left his tax-collecting duties in Gaul and hastened to the camp with a small retinue. He was just as popular as his father had been. After mingling with the men and hearing their complaints, Germanicus persuaded them into formation, had the standards brought out and began a dialogue with them. At one point they bared their backs to show Germanicus

1404-408: The centre with his cavalry and light infantry on the flanks. He put his elephants in front of the flanks. Caesar had left two recently recruited legions to continue the siege of the city. He had also drawn up his legions in three lines; Legio VII and X on the right, VIII and IX on the left, the XIII and XIV with three newly recruited legions in the centre (he had placed a recruit legion on either side of

1458-457: The city and tried to negotiate with Considius, but the Optimate commander refused to read his message. Caesar launched several probing attacks on the city, but found out he had neither the men nor the materiel to take it. When his scouts reported that a large force of enemy cavalry was en route he decided to march south. The enemy cavalry force, mainly Numidian light cavalry, harassed his army all

1512-473: The city. Caesar blocked the southern approach with fortifications and defended these with three cohorts of troops. This forced his opponents to either attack the fortifications or march round the Marsh of Moknine and advance at his army via the eastern approach. The Optimates, led by Metellus Scipio, decided not to attack Caesar's southern fortifications, but march to the eastern approach. Scipio ordered Afranius and

1566-593: The civil war the legion joined the army of Augustus. It is believed to be identical to the Legio I that took part in the Hispania campaign against the Cantabri conducted for Augustus by Marcus Agrippa and was disgraced there. Inscriptions on coins from Hispania indicate that between 30 and 16 BC, some Legio I was stationed in Hispania Tarraconensis , where they would have fought in the war against

1620-548: The commander of the XIV legion, in front of Caesar's camp, but Caesar did not fall for the ruse. Two more veteran legions, the IX and X, arrived, bolstering Caesar's numbers. Caesar started building two long lines of fortifications from his camp to Uzitta. When they were finished he constructed a number of catapults and scorpions and started bombarding Uzitta. This caused some of the Optimates, mainly Gaetulians but also some legionaries from

1674-530: The common danger the men settled for immunity, double pay (which Germanicus gladly paid from his own funds on the spot) and an enlistment of sixteen years. I Germanica and the XX Valeria Victrix retired to Cologne, while Germanicus went to seek senatorial confirmation and approval by Tiberius. Germanicus returned to Cologne with envoys from the Senate, arriving at night, which was misinterpreted by

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1728-516: The conclusion of hostilities in Gaul. He crossed over the Rubicon river with the 13th Legion, a clear violation of Roman Law, and marched to Rome. The Optimates fled to Greece under the command of Pompey since they had not organised an army and were incapable of defending the city of Rome itself against Caesar. Led by Caesar, the Populares followed, but were greatly outnumbered and defeated in

1782-497: The elephants' path clearing their way to the detachment (five cohorts) of Legio V Alaudae which was placed behind the flank. The five cohorts sustained the charge with such bravery that afterwards the legion was awarded an elephant as a symbol. The legionaries of the fifth stabbed their pila at the elephants eyes and weak spots and blasted away on their trumpets frightening the beasts, causing them to turn back and run towards their own lines. They crashed into their own right flank. After

1836-461: The emperor. Afterwards the Legio I Germanica proclaimed Vitellius , the governor of Germania Inferior as emperor. Vitellius would become emperor. Later he would be deposed by Vespasian . During the Batavian revolt a Roman expedition was defeated near Nijmegen , and shortly after, two legions were besieged at Xanten . Although the Legio I Germanica, led by Herennius Gallus, XVI Gallica and

1890-583: The forces of Julius Caesar . It was followed shortly by the suicides of Scipio and his ally, Cato the Younger , the Numidian king Juba , and his Roman peer Marcus Petreius . In 49 BC, the last civil war of the Roman Republic was initiated after Julius Caesar, who saw that his political enemies in Rome were looking to arrest and prosecute him, defied senatorial orders to disband his army following

1944-587: The legion soon redeemed itself, winning the title Germanica for it. Exactly when they won it is not known. Most likely, the title Germanica was granted for service in Drusus ' subsequent punitive and exploratory campaigns against the Germanic tribes. Drusus was extremely popular. It was an honor to be in his service and he made sure that his men were honored properly. After the defeat of Varus, Augustus' adoptive son Tiberius (brother of Drusus) assumed command of

1998-464: The line up of the opposing legions, shifting nervously as troops moved out of the fortifications. A trumpeter of the VII sounded the attack and Caesar, seeing his right surge forward, ordered a general advance. Caesar's archers on the right flank attacked the elephants opposing them, causing them to panic and turn and trample their own men. The elephants on the other flank charged against Caesar's left flank. Caesar's light infantry and cavalry moved out of

2052-444: The loss of the elephants, Metellus Scipio started to lose ground, his left broke first the rest followed. Caesar's cavalry outmaneuvered its enemy, destroyed the fortified camp, and forced its enemy into retreat. During the battle the garrison of Thapsus sallied out, attacking Caesar's siege works, but they were forced back by the two legions Caesar had left to continue the siege. Having done so these legionaries marched south to reinforce

2106-649: The main army. Caesar sent his left wing cavalry round to Labienus' rear catching him in a pincer. Labienus' Numidian cavalry was able to extract themselves, but his Gallic and Germanic horsemen were surrounded and slaughtered. In response the Optimates called on king Juba I of Numidia to join them with his army. Caesar kept the initiative by marching on Uzitta, a major water source for the Optimates, and tried to force his enemy to do battle. Despite Juba's arrival, bringing his forces up to thirteen legions, Scipio refused to attack Caesar's positions. He tried to lure Caesar from his camp by torturing some of his captives, including

2160-437: The men as signifying the agreement was off. They dragged Germanicus from his bed, but the matter was clarified next day. Upset, Germanicus tried to send his pregnant wife and young son off to safety, but the soldiers heard them weeping and came out to detain them. Aroused, Germanicus delivered one of the great orations in history, upholding the tradition of his family's ability in that area, saying, for example: Moved and stung to

2214-456: The men on that occasion on the subject of soldier's benefits. They needed a fixed contract, he said, a term of service of 16 seasons instead of 25 or 30, and a pay raise. The speech was far from comic. The men as he spoke began raise a dais of earth around him and brought the standards and that attracted the attention of the Praetor , Blaesus. Unable to dissuade the men, he agreed to send his son,

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2268-471: The men were recalled to duty. Drusus had the leaders executed and returned to Rome. No action yet was taken on the issues. The XXI Rapax , V Alaudae , I Germanica and XX Valeria Victrix of the army of Germania Inferior heard of the mutiny at their summer camp among the Ubii . Aroused by new recruits from the city of Rome, the men attacked the centurions by surprise, beating many to death and throwing

2322-577: The nobility in the resistance were Titus Labienus , Publius Attius Varus , Lucius Afranius , Marcus Petreius and the brothers Sextus and Gnaeus Pompeius (Pompey's sons). King Juba I of Numidia was a valuable local ally. After the pacification of the Eastern provinces, and a short visit to Rome, Caesar followed his opponents to Africa. Caesar had gathered six legions around Lilybaeum in Sicily. Four more legions were on their way from Rome. Despite

2376-469: The quick, the soldiers settled the mutiny on the spot by general court martial conducted by the tribunes. The leaders were put in chains and brought to the dais, where they went before the troops one by one. The soldiers voted for guilt or innocence by voice. The guilty were thrown off the dais to be executed by the men. Each centurion then passed before the tribunal to be approved or disapproved. The approved kept their rank. The disapproved were discharged from

2430-506: The same term This disambiguation page lists articles about military units and formations which are associated with the same title. If an internal link referred you to this page, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. [REDACTED] Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=German_Legion&oldid=1157357522 " Category : Military units and formations disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description

2484-462: The scars from lashing. At another Germanicus drew his sword and offered to commit suicide, but was restrained. Another soldier offered him a sharper sword. He withdrew to his tent. There he received word that the mutiny was about to become a state issue. Mutinous envoys were being sent to Cologne , there were plans to burn the city and sack Gaul. The enemy on the other side of the border was watching with interest, waiting to intervene. In realization of

2538-638: The service. The terms of the agreement were faithfully kept. Germanicus returned to Rome. I Germanica went back to duty, but not exactly with honor. It remained in Germania Inferior fighting in all the major campaigns along the Rhine and the Danube. After the dissolution of the Cologne fortress the legion was moved to Bonn . During the year 67 AD emperor Nero's position as emperor became unstable. Many senators became discontent with him, and

2592-594: The subsequent naval engagement Scipio also committed suicide by stabbing himself with his sword. The battle preceded peace in Africa—Caesar pulled out and returned to Rome on July 25 of the same year. However, Caesar's opposition was not done yet; Titus Labienus, the sons of Pompey, Varus and several others managed to gather another army in Baetica in Hispania Ulterior . The civil war was not finished, and

2646-510: The troops fortified opposite Afranius and Juba's camp and together they attacked and overran Afranius' camp. They then prepared to attack the Numidians. Before they could do so Juba's allied troops abandoned the site and the battle was decided. Caesar proceeded to the Optimates' camp and found it already stormed. Here he lost control of his own men who started slaughtering their opponents. Around ten thousand enemies were killed, those surviving

2700-561: The way to Ruspina ; they tried to pin Caesar's army in place, surround him, and then wear down his men and destroy his army just like they had done to Curio . Caesar was a much better and far more experienced commander than Curio and kept his forces moving using his cavalry to keep the Numidians at bay while his legionaries marched on to Ruspina. On 29 December Caesar reached Ruspina. Caesar made Ruspina his base of operations. On January 1, he took some of his men and moved on to Leptis where he

2754-399: The weather being far from optimal, Caesar embarked his six legions and sailed for Africa. He reached the African coast on 28 December, landing near Hadrumetum . However, a storm had scattered his transports, leaving him with just 3000 infantry and 150 cavalry. Hadrumetum was held by a strong Optimate garrison under Gaius Considius Longus and Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso . Caesar made camp south of

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2808-408: Was joined by some of his scattered transports bringing much needed reinforcements. On January 4, Caesar marched out from Ruspina on a foraging expedition. He marched out with half his force; 9000 legionaries in 30 understrength cohorts. When his scouts reported the enemy was nearby he ordered his cavalry and archers to join him from Ruspina. Caesar then awaited the Optimate forces. A battle was fought ;

2862-563: Was raising forces on the Iberian Peninsula. Afranius and Faustus Cornelius Sulla ( Sulla 's surviving son) collected several survivors and started to pillage eastern Mauretania (its king had sided with Caesar). They were caught by Publius Sittius (a Roman mercenary commander working for king Bocchus II , the king of eastern Mauretania, and an ally of Caesar) and were executed a few days later. Juba and Petreius fled to Numidia, but with Sittius closing in on them (Sittius had defeated

2916-448: Was upset by this and is reported by Plutarch to have said: "Cato, I must grudge you your death, as you grudged me the honour of saving your life." Scipio also tried to escape to Roman Hispania; he gathered a small fleet and the remaining Optimate leadership around him and set sail for the Iberian Peninsula. Bad weather forced them to return to the African coast, where they were caught off Hippo Regius by Sittius and his fleet. After losing

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