Roman Legions
Definition of a Legion:
A legion was made up of legionaries, each heavily equipped with armor and weaponry. Traditionally, a legion was meant to be a collection of legionaries numbering 3,000, however, by the time of the Roman Empire, the numbers in a legion had decreased.
Legio III Italica:
This is a particular Roman legion stationed in the Germanic provinces and, in particular, near the Danube River. Legio III Italica was founded by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius in about the year 165 B.C.E. The purpose of this legion was to help defeat one of the Germanic tribes, Macromanni. This legion was grouped along with Legio II Italica and Legio I Adiutrix in order to ward off invasions on the Germanic provinces of Raetia and Noricum. By the year 171, Legio III Italica had succeeded in creating a defensive camp at Regensburg called Castra Regina, signifying the area as a clearly marked section of the Roman Empire. With the help of this legion, parts of Germany were preserved in the Roman Empire from the pesky Germanic tribes.
In another engagement, this legion helped fight alongside the Emperor Severus in a civil war in the year 193 against Severus's various opponents. This signifies their extreme loyalty to all Emperors of the Roman Empire.
Legio III Italica also fought, under the supervision of Emperor Caracalla, against another invading tribe called the Alamanni. Once again, the legion proved to be loyal and successful to the Emperor.
In order to fight against the Sassanid Empire, the Legio III Italica was divided into smaller regions, but were still able to maintain their loyalty and faithfullness.
In the 3rd century, there was seen a conflict between who would become the emperor of the army. In this battle, the legion supported Gallienus, and, for this, they were rewarded with the name: Pia fidelis, meaning faithful and loyal.
Legio III Italica lasted until the 4th century when they were divided into six smaller legions and Regensburg was under the possession of the Bavarians.
Overall, the main qualities of Legio III Italica, faithfulness and loyalty, proved to be very successful and rewarding in the long run because of their recognition among the various Emperors. Legio III Italica served its time in the Roman army and did what it could to maintain the power and might of the Roman Empire.
In another engagement, this legion helped fight alongside the Emperor Severus in a civil war in the year 193 against Severus's various opponents. This signifies their extreme loyalty to all Emperors of the Roman Empire.
Legio III Italica also fought, under the supervision of Emperor Caracalla, against another invading tribe called the Alamanni. Once again, the legion proved to be loyal and successful to the Emperor.
In order to fight against the Sassanid Empire, the Legio III Italica was divided into smaller regions, but were still able to maintain their loyalty and faithfullness.
In the 3rd century, there was seen a conflict between who would become the emperor of the army. In this battle, the legion supported Gallienus, and, for this, they were rewarded with the name: Pia fidelis, meaning faithful and loyal.
Legio III Italica lasted until the 4th century when they were divided into six smaller legions and Regensburg was under the possession of the Bavarians.
Overall, the main qualities of Legio III Italica, faithfulness and loyalty, proved to be very successful and rewarding in the long run because of their recognition among the various Emperors. Legio III Italica served its time in the Roman army and did what it could to maintain the power and might of the Roman Empire.
Interesting Fact:
I find it very interesting that this tribe was named Legio III Italica, and yet it was not stationed in Italy. The reason for the name is that most of the recruits in the legion were from Italy, and thus Legio III Italica was born.