Legion VII "Claudia" ( Legio VII Claudia Pia VII Fidelis VII ) - Roman Legion , formed by Julius Caesar in 58 BC. e. It existed at least until the very end of the 4th century . The symbols of the legion are the bull and the lion .
| Legion VII "Claudia" Legio VII Claudia | |
|---|---|
| Years of existence | 58 BC e. - end of IV century |
| A country | Ancient Rome |
| Type of | Cavalry Supported Infantry |
| Number | On average 5,000 infantry and 300 cavalry |
| Dislocation | Tiluria , Bourne , Vimination , |
| Participation in | Gallic War, Caesar’s British campaigns, Caesar’s and Pompey’s civil war, Caesar’s African campaign, Peruvian war, suppression of the Scribonian rebellion, battle of Bedriak, battle of Cremona, Dacian warfare, Parthian campaign of Septimius Severus |
| Marks of Excellence | Pia VII Fidelis VII |
Content
Ground
Formed by Julius Caesar in 58 BC. e. to invade Gaul. One of the oldest legions of the empire . During the formation, most likely, did not receive any name, but the first decade of its existence was called Paterna ("The Eldest")
Battle Path
The first battle in which the legion participated was the battle of Sabis (modern river Sambre , Flanders , France - Belgium ), in which Caesar’s troops opposed the Nerve forces three times exceeding them at the beginning of 57 BC. e. The battle ended with a brilliant victory for the Romans.
In 56 BC e. participates in the campaign against venets , and in 56 BC. e. and 55 BC e. makes two campaigns with Caesar in Britain , where he takes part in the campaign against Casselaela .
In 52 BC e. battles Vercingetorix in the vicinity of Paris . Later takes part in the siege of Alesia (modern Alize-Saint-Rennes , France ).
During the Civil War, he fights on the side of Caesar at the Battle of Illerd in Spain in 49 BC. e. ; then at the battle of Dirrachia (modern Durres , Albania ) and at Farsala (modern Farsala , Greece ).
In 46 BC e. participates in the African campaign of Caesar and fights at Thaps (modern Ras Dimas , Tunisia ).
The following year, Caesar practically dissolved the legion, having resettled veterans near Capua and Luke (modern-day San Luke , Italy ). However, after the death of the dictator in 44 BC. e. The Legion was recreated by Octavian, and its main backbone was made up of veterans who fought Caesar.
The Legion takes part in the battle of Modena in 43 BC. e. and the battle of Philippi in 42 BC e. After this battle, the legion gets the name Macedonica ("Macedonian"). In 41 BC e. takes part in the siege of Perugia .
In the year 9 , after the battle in the Teutoburg Forest , the legion was transferred from Italy to Dalmatia , to Tiluria (not far from modern Tril , Croatia ), and then to Bourn (modern Kistanye , Croatia ), where he camped with the legion XI Claudia .
In 42, Governor Lucius Arrunius Fury Camille Scribonian rebelled against the emperor Claudius , who had recently come to power. However, the rebellion was quickly and ruthlessly suppressed by the forces of the VII and XI legions, for which both of them were renamed and received the Claudia cognomone (“Claudia Legion”), as well as the title Pia Fidelis (“Faithful and Devotee”). However, the title soon became cognitive and the legions became known as Claudia Pia Fidelis (“The Faithful and Loyal Legion of Claudius”).
In 58, he replaced in Vimination (modern Kostolac , Serbia ) the legion IIII Scythica , who fought along with Corbulon .
In 69, the legion first took the side of Otho and took part in the battle of Bedriak on his side. Vitellius , however, returned the legionnaires who fought against him back to the Danube , but they immediately supported his new opponent, Vespasian , and took part in the battle of Cremona , this time being among the winners.
In 86 - 88 , as well as in 101 - 102 he took part in wars against the Dacians .
The Legion most likely takes part in the Parthian campaign of Trajan . In 116, the legion from Mesopotamia was transferred to Cyprus , where it eliminates the echoes of the Jewish rebellion.
During Marcus Aurelius, the legion takes part in all the wars that took place on the Danube, with significant losses. It is known that in 160 , in order to restore the strength of the legion, it was necessary to recruit twice as many people than it was recruited annually.
In 193, the legion was in the army of Septimius Severus , who went with him to Rome and overthrew Didi Julian . Later, the legion takes part in the Parthian campaign of the North and participates in the looting of Ctesiphon .
In the III century, the legion remains in Vimination, performing police and punitive functions, participating in battles with the Danube tribes.
In the time of Gallienus, he received the title of Pia VII Fidelis VII from him for his support against Postumus . After the death of Gallien, the title is practically not used.
During the time of Diocletian escorts the emperor to Roman Egypt .
Disbandment
Until the end of the 4th century, the legion was definitely on the Danube . His further fate is unknown.
Useful links
- List of Roman Legions
- Legion at livius.org
- R. Kanya “Legion” A brief description of the history of various legions on the XLegio portal.
- Roman Glory Antique Martial Art