Legio I Germanica facts for kids

The Legio I Germanica (which means 'First Legion "Germanic"') was a famous Roman legion. It was probably started in 48 BC by Julius Caesar. He needed soldiers to fight in a big civil war against Pompey. The name 'Germanica' came from its brave service in wars against Germanic tribes. It was not because the soldiers were from Germania.

After a big rebellion in AD 70 called the Revolt of the Batavi, the remaining soldiers of Legio I Germanica joined another legion. This new legion became known as Legio VII Gemina. We don't know the exact symbol of Legio I. But like most legions started by Caesar, it was probably a bull.

How the Legion Started

Historians have a few ideas about how Legio I Germanica was formed. The most popular idea is that Julius Caesar created it in 48 BC. He needed it to fight in the civil war against Pompey. This legion would have first fought in the Battle of Dyrrachium. Then it would have fought in the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC.

Another idea is that Pompey himself started the legion. If so, it would have fought against Caesar in battles like Pharsalus. A third idea says that Gaius Vibius Pansa Caetronianus formed the legion in 43 BC. He was a supporter of Caesar.

No matter how it started, Legio I was later taken over by Augustus. Legions that served Augustus well usually got the name Augusta. But Legio I never got this special title. This was likely because it suffered a defeat during the Cantabrian Wars. It even lost its battle standard to the enemy.

The legion later fought against Sextus Pompey in Sicily in 36 BC. After Augustus lost a battle, he asked for Legio I Germanica to come as backup.

A Difficult Time in Hispania

After the civil war, the legion joined Augustus' army. It is believed to be the same Legio I that fought in Hispania. This was a campaign against the Cantabri people. The legion faced difficulties there. Coins from Hispania show that Legio I was stationed in Hispania Tarraconensis between 30 and 16 BC. Here, they fought in the Cantabrian Wars against the Cantabrians and Asturians.

The historian Dio Cassius wrote that one legion lost its special title after problems in this campaign. Many believe he was talking about Legio I. This explains why it didn't get the Augusta title. While in Spain, the legion also helped build the city of Acci.

Great Service in Germania

Around the year 0 AD, Legio I moved to the Rhine River border. They might have moved there to help Emperor Tiberius fight against the Vindelicia. The Roman historian Tacitus wrote that Tiberius gave them new standards. But it's not clear when this happened. New standards were usually given to new legions.

Other ideas suggest they got the standard after winning a battle near Lake Constance. Because of their good service in Germania, the legion soon earned the name Germanica. This was a great honor. It was probably given for their service in Drusus' campaigns. Drusus was very popular. He made sure his soldiers were honored properly.

Soldier Rebellion on the Rhine

After a big Roman defeat, Augustus' adopted son Tiberius took command of the Rhine army. This army grew to eight legions. When Tiberius returned to Italy in 13 AD, Drusus' son, Germanicus, became commander. The next year, Augustus died, and Tiberius became emperor.

Later, a commander named Junius Blaesus gave his soldiers a holiday. A soldier named Percennius spoke to the men. He talked about how soldiers needed better pay and shorter service times. The soldiers started to gather around him. They even brought their battle standards. Blaesus tried to calm them down. He agreed to send his son to Tiberius with their demands.

News of this rebellion spread to other soldiers nearby. They arrested their commander and forced him to march with heavy bags. They also robbed villages along the way. When they reached camp, they caused a riot. Blaesus tried to stop it, but the rioters freed prisoners. They also threw out their officers and even killed a harsh officer.

The soldiers were fighting among themselves when Tiberius' own son, Drusus Julius Caesar, arrived. He closed the camp gates and began to investigate. The soldiers didn't like his ideas. He sent them to their tents and had men talk to them personally. Slowly, the soldiers returned to duty. Drusus had the rebellion leaders executed.

The Legio I Germanica, along with other legions, heard about the rebellion. New recruits from Rome stirred up trouble. The soldiers attacked their officers, beating many to death. They threw the bodies into the Rhine River. The main commanders were isolated. The soldiers took control of the camp.

When Germanicus heard about this, he quickly came to the camp. He was very popular, just like his father. He talked with the soldiers and listened to their complaints. At one point, they showed him their backs, covered in scars from whippings. Germanicus realized the danger. The enemy across the border was watching. The soldiers agreed to stop the rebellion if they got immunity. They also wanted double pay and shorter service. Germanicus paid them from his own money.

Legio I Germanica and another legion went back to Cologne. Germanicus went to get approval from the Senate and Tiberius. Germanicus returned to Cologne with Senate envoys. The soldiers thought the agreement was off. They dragged Germanicus from his bed. The next day, things were cleared up. Germanicus tried to send his pregnant wife and young son to safety. But the soldiers stopped them.

Germanicus then gave a powerful speech. He reminded them of their duty and their family's honor. He said: "For what have you not dared, what have you not profaned during these days? What name shall I give to this gathering? Am I to call you soldiers ... when you have trampled under foot the Authority of the Senate?"

The soldiers were deeply moved. They decided to end the rebellion right away. They held a quick trial. The leaders were chained and brought before the troops. The soldiers voted on their guilt. The guilty ones were executed. Each officer then had to be approved by the troops. Those approved kept their rank. Those not approved were removed from service. The agreements were kept. Germanicus returned to Rome.

Legio I Germanica went back to duty. It stayed in Germania Inferior, fighting in many major campaigns. After the Cologne fortress was closed, the legion moved to Bonn.

Revolt Against Emperor Nero

Around 67 AD, Emperor Nero's rule became unstable. Many important people were unhappy with him. Some governors even talked about removing him. Two of these were Lucius Clodius Macer and Gaius Julius Vindex. When Servius Sulpicius Galba, the governor of Hispania, rebelled against Nero, they supported him.

Legio I Germanica, however, supported Nero. They helped defeat Gaius Julius Vindex. But Galba still became the new emperor. Later, Legio I Germanica declared Vitellius, the governor of Germania Inferior, as emperor. Vitellius did become emperor for a short time. But he was later removed by Vespasian.

Final Disgrace and End

During the Revolt of the Batavi, a Roman force was defeated near Nijmegen. Soon after, two legions were surrounded at Xanten. Legio I Germanica, led by Herennius Gallus, tried to help them. But they were forced to surrender in March 70 AD. Legio I Germanica and another legion also surrendered later.

It took several months for Emperor Vespasian to gather a strong army. This army, led by Quintus Petillius Cerialis, restored Roman control. After this, the remaining soldiers of Legio I Germanica were combined with another legion. This new legion became the Legio VII Gemina. Legio I Germanica was likely officially disbanded in 70 AD.

Famous Members

See also

• List of Roman legions