Legio IV Macedonica facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fourth Legion Macedonica
Legio IV Macedonica Legio Quarta Macedonica
Brick stamp LEG IV MAC found in Rheinzabern
Active	48 BCE until the 4th century
Country	Roman Republic (closing years) and Roman Empire
Type	Roman legion

The Legio IV Macedonica ("Macedonian Fourth Legion") was a famous Roman army group. It was started in 48 BC by Gaius Julius Caesar, a powerful Roman leader. Its soldiers were from Italy.

This legion was active for over 100 years. It was finally disbanded in AD 70 by Emperor Vespasian. The symbols for this legion were a bull and a capricorn. The bull was a common symbol for legions created by Caesar.

History of the Fourth Legion

Starting Out: Early Battles

This legion was likely formed in Italy in 48 BC. Julius Caesar needed more soldiers for his war against Pompey. The Fourth Legion fought its first battle at Dyrrhachium.

After the war, the legion was sent to Macedonia. Caesar had planned to invade the Parthian Empire. However, this plan was stopped when Caesar died.

The legion then fought in the Roman civil wars. They were involved in the conflict between Mark Antony and Augustus. The legion moved to Italy with Mark Antony. But they chose to support Augustus. They fought against Antony at the Battle of Mutina. They lost many soldiers there.

In 42 BC, the legion fought at the Battle of Philippi. They were almost completely destroyed. But they managed to survive and were rebuilt. This is probably how they got the name Macedonica. They also helped during the siege of Perugia in 41 BC. Later, they were at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC.

Fighting in Spain: Cantabrian Wars

After Augustus became the Roman Emperor, the legion moved. In 30 BC, they went to Juliobriga in Spain. Their job was to fight in the Cantabrian Wars.

These wars were against the Cantabrian people. After the wars ended, the soldiers stayed in Spain. They helped out as civil servants.

Stationed in Germania

Emperor Claudius probably moved the legion to Mainz in Germania Superior (modern-day Germany). This happened around AD 41. They replaced another legion there.

Some people think they moved earlier, in AD 39. This was when Emperor Caligula fought against the Germanic Chatti tribe. In Germania, the Fourth Legion shared their fort. They lived with the newer XXII Primigenia legion. The Fourth Legion had the more important right side of the fort.

The Year of Four Emperors

During the Year of Four Emperors (AD 69), Rome had many leaders. The Fourth Legion was quick to support Vitellius. Soldiers from this legion marched with Vitellius to Italy.

They traveled through Switzerland. They also fought in the battles of Cremona and Bedriacum. These battles were against the troops of Emperor Otho. Many soldiers from the Fourth Legion were rewarded for their bravery. However, Vitellius's forces were later defeated by Vespasian.

Later Service in Germania

While these events happened, the Batavian people in Germany revolted. The IV Macedonica guarded Mainz during this time. They protected it from attacks by other Germanic tribes.

Even though they fought well, the new Emperor Vespasian was suspicious of them. Because of this, the legion was punished. It was given a new name, IV Flavia Felix. It also got a new symbol, a lion. The lion was linked to Hercules, a god Vespasian liked.

Moving On: After Germania

The newly named Legio IV Flavia Felix moved to Burnum. This was a Roman military camp in Dalmatia. They stayed there until AD 70.

In AD 85, the legion moved again. This time they went to Singidunum in Moesia. The legion also served in Syria for a time. During the rule of Domitian, they fought against the Alemmani and Dacians. Later, they fought in Trajan's Dacian Wars. The Legio IV Flavia Felix stayed in Singidunum for about 200 years. After that, they disappear from historical records.

See also

In Spanish: Legio IV Macedonica para niños

• List of Roman legions