Legio III Gallica

Roman Empire 125

Active	49 BC – 5th century AD
Disbanded
Country	Roman Republic, Roman Empire
Allegiance
Branch
Type	Roman legion
Role	Infantry assault
Size	Varied over time
Part of
Garrison/HQ	Raphana

Legio III Gallica was a Roman legion levied by Gaius Julius Caesar in 49 BC during the Roman Republic. The legion was active until the 5th century AD, serving the Roman Empire in various capacities.

History

Formation and Early Campaigns

Legio III Gallica was formed by Gaius Julius Caesar during the Roman Civil War. The legion participated in several key battles, including the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC, where Caesar defeated Pompey.

Service under Mark Antony

After Caesar's assassination in 44 BC, the legion came under the command of Mark Antony. It fought in the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC against the forces of Brutus and Cassius, the assassins of Caesar. The legion later participated in the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, where Antony and Cleopatra were defeated by Octavian, who would become the first Roman Emperor, Augustus.

Imperial Service

Under the Roman Empire, Legio III Gallica was stationed in the Roman province of Syria. The legion played a significant role in the Jewish-Roman Wars, including the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD. It also participated in the Parthian Wars under Emperor Trajan.

Later Years

In the later years of the empire, the legion was stationed in Raphana in the province of Arabia Petraea. The exact fate of Legio III Gallica is unclear, but it is believed to have been disbanded or destroyed in the 5th century AD.

Notable Commanders

• Gaius Julius Caesar
• Mark Antony
• Gaius Cassius Longinus

See Also

• List of Roman legions
• Roman military history
• Roman Empire
• Roman Republic