History of Some Legions

[The10thLegion]

Hello, i am going to do a history of a few legions.
My first legions i am doing are:
Legio X Equestris/Gemina
III Gallica


Sorry if it is in the wrong Dev Forum, im new here. Ill begin posting soon!

[The10thLegion]

Legio X Equestris
Originally created by Julius Caesar in 61 B.C. in Spain with the name of Equestris (mounted or knightly) it was raised to help him in the Spanish battles. It proved itself so good in those battles that he used them as his own personal bodyguards when he met the German king. It was with him from day 1, to the last days fighting in all of his engangements and always taking his right flank. In the battle against the Nervians, X Equestris saved the day, flanking the opposition and trapping the Nervians so they had no chance of survival. This legion was so fiersome that during the Civil War with Pompey the Great, Pompey would put his best legion against it. In the battle of Pharsalus Pompey did so and the weakened Equestris (from all the battles) still beat back Pompey's best legion (legio I). This provided a great moral booster to all the troops that led them to take the day. When Caesar was assassinated, it retired and settled in Narbonne. The legion then was recronstructed by Lepidus, but was disbanded after Phillipi and settled in lands near Cremona. The legion came to Marc Antony's command and went with him in his Parthian campaign, and also fought against Brutus. They later particapated in the Battle of Actium. The legion was finally retired to Patras. It was reconstructed again, but when it rebelled against Augustus it was stripped of its title.

Legio X Gemina
The legion continued under Gemina (or twin) and immediately rebegan its great reputation. It was sent to suppress riots and revolts in Germany. It fought for Domitian and suppressed a large riot which it received the title Pia Fidelis Domitiana, "faithful and loyal to Domitian", just like the other legions fighting for Domition. It was later moved to the middle East near Syria. There it particapated inGalba's campaigns against the Parthians in which they beat back the Parthians and put a new king on the Armenian throne. This was a big accomplishment, as the Parthians were exellent defenders. It was moved back to Syria, but when the Jewish revolt started they went with Vespasian, and later Titus to demolish the resistance. It again fought against the Parthians under Lucius Verus and fought against Marcus Areilius' enemies. Then, it again fought against the Parthians under Septimus Severus and earned his deep respect when they fought to make him emperor. The result was in many of them becoming the Preatorian Guard.

- note i didn't copy these articles!

- subnote: i am actually copying the below since i don't think RS will go this far.
During the 3rd century, the legion fought for several emperors, who awarded the legion with titles showing the fidelity of the legion and the favour gained by the Emperor himself. The titles Antoniniana (awarded by Caracalla or Elagabalus), Gordiana (by Gordian III), Deciana (by Decius), Floriana (by Florianus), and Cariniana (by Carinus) were short-lived, however, and dropped after the death of the Emperor. For its support of Emperor Gallienus against Postumus, the Gemina was awarded the title Pia VI Fidelis VI, "six times faithful, six times loyal".


[edit] 4th century
At the time in which Notitia Dignitatum was written (early 4th century), the first detachment of Decima Gemina was under the command of the Magister Militum per Orientem, and was a comitatensis unit.[1] The other detachment was still in Vindobona, under the command of the Dux Pannoniae primae et Norici ripensis.

What do you think, any revisions to be made?

[pseudocaesar]

Nah this is the right forum, definitely. DEV 2 is more for the artsy side of things.

[The10thLegion]

ok. Any suggestions, critisisms, comments, and/or praise. I am doing legio VII next.

[pseudocaesar]

Well Leg X Equestris actually mutinied from Caesar in i think, the year before he died, maybe even in 44. Not a full blown mutiny, but its rather famous. The one where he quelled all mutinous intentions by addressing them as "Quirites" and not soldiers. (Quirus=Citizen, Quirites=Citizens, by calling them quirites he basically said they are no longer Roman soldiers)

[century x]

I'll get to legio III when i'm done making some pages on the RS wiki.

[The10thLegion]

Well Leg X Equestris actually mutinied from Caesar in i think, the year before he died, maybe even in 44. Not a full blown mutiny, but its rather famous. The one where he quelled all mutinous intentions by addressing them as "Quirites" and not soldiers. (Quirus=Citizen, Quirites=Citizens, by calling them quirites he basically said they are no longer Roman soldiers)

Well i remember when i was reading the history of the tenth legion in a book called Caesar's legion that they mutinied, but only came back because Caesar had such an inspirational speach.

[dvk901]

What you guys could do is work up a comprehensive history of the Legions, as much about Auxilia Regiments as can be found, and compile it all into a 'History of Rome's Military' and we could post it in the forum at some point. There is so much information out there, but not all in one place.....with pictures, symbols, armor, history, known commanders\Generals, etc.

[The10thLegion]

sure thing. I have to admit it might be delayed as im already doing work for 2 other mods at the moment.

[dvk901]

Plenty of time...next week OK? LOL :

[The10thLegion]

ROMAN ARMY NUMBERS 24-305 AD Army corps Tiberius
24 AD Hadrian
ca. 130 AD S. Severus
211 AD 3rd c. crisis
ca. 270 AD Diocletian
284 - 305
LEGIONS 125,000[48] 155,000[49] 182,000[50]
AUXILIA 125,000[51] 218,000[52] 250,000[53]
PRAETORIAN GUARD ~~5,000[54] ~10,000[55] ~10,000
Total Roman Army 255,000[56] 383,000[57] 442,000[58] 350,000?[59] 390,000[60]
The real strength of a unit would fluctuate continually, but would likely have been somewhat less than the establishment most of the time.

The real strength of a unit would fluctuate continually, but would likely have been somewhat less than the establishment most of the time.


NOTE: Opinion is divided about the size of an ala turma, between 30 and 32 men. 30 was the size of a turma in the Republican cavalry and in the cohors equitata of the Principate auxilia. Against this is a statement by Arrian that an ala was 512 strong.[99] This would make an ala turma 32 men strong.
Hope this helps for now, i dont like to copy as much as i like making the reports

[century x]

I'll start working on the Auxilia Regiments.

[swhunter]

Excellent !
If you like with permission from Tone and DVK
Do a lay out of units with its history as DVK said
with starting with the early units to the late. Don't go past 150 A.D.
A Portfolio of units one at time with pictures of their helmets , armour
clothes , weapons , Historical named units.
If you want an example see the Spartan thread.
That Keranovos and I made.

Also DVK should they stay at our dates ? Or you want a full history ?

[century x]

I'll try to make it as organize as I can. This is my first time doing stuff like this so it may take me a bit.

[dvk901]

A full history would be preferrable...especially since I think it's fascinating and incredible that some of these Legions existed as viable fighting units in one form or another for over 500+ years. It is also evident that some of them actually became Eastern Empire Legions after the fall of the West and continued on even further.

[century x]

Hey DVk. YOu want as much info on Auxilia regiments correct.

Can you give me like a couple of names of Auxilia units like in RS2 so I can get a litte head start.

[swhunter]

A full history would be preferrable...especially since I think it's fascinating and incredible that some of these Legions existed as viable fighting units in one form or another for over 500+ years. It is also evident that some of them actually became Eastern Empire Legions after the fall of the West and continued on even further.

Cool..
This would be pretty cool to have this stuff in the extra folder on the mod when it is out. What do you think DVK ?

[dvk901]

cohors i alpinorum
cohors i scythica
cohors ii thracia
cohors iii aegyptia
cohors iv hispanorum
cohors v gallorum
cohors i batavorum
cohors vii dalmatia
cohors viii belgae
cohors ix parthorum
cohors x italia

These actually need better in-game descriptions as well.

[The10thLegion]

Class is in Session! Auxilary Units




General Info
Auxilia is the latin word meaning helper. These auxilia would either form their own auxilia legion, or would help with a Roman legion. The auxilias were non-citizen that could join the army. They had less pay, less honor, and probably had some discrimination but in the end it was worth it because it allowed them and their family to become Roman citizens. Just like Roman legions, auxilia legions would have their own name to each legion and it would usually be about where they came from. (ie: Legio IV Sarmatia). They would then form into regiments. Each regiment was commanded by a prefect (praefectus) or tribune, who answered to the legionary commanders. Most auxiliaries wore a simple mail or scale shirt over their tunic. Some also wore leather or woolen trousers.
Auxiliaries wore similar helmets to those worn by legionaries. The shield was usually made from leather and wood and was oval shaped. They could previde skills that Romans weren't necassarily good at like riding horses and shooting arrows at the same time, archery skills, and javelin tossing. The auxilia calvary was usually recruited from tribes with good horesemanship, archers were usually recruited from Crete, Syria, and around the Black Sea. Auxiliary regiments (large groups of Auxiliay soldiers) were attached to a legion, and normally there would be the same number of auxiliaries as legionaries in the resulting group. The legion's commanding officer was in control of the whole group.

Note!!!!!
- auxilias were never sent against their own people because the Romans didn't want the auxilias to desert. I would really suggest moving such auxilia recruitments such as Scythian Auxilia to areas like Parthia where good horsemenship was needed to combat the Parthian's

Century X Help:









Auxiliary troops were levied from the conquered provinces and were named after the locality of their origination. The period of service for an auxiliary soldier was roughly 25 years after which time he could be discharged with a small gratuity and, most precious of all, a diploma conferring Roman Citizenship on himself and his heirs. For acts of bravery it was more likely that Citizenship, either for individuals, or for the unit as a whole, was awarded. Cohorts and Alae, like the Legions, could be given honorary awards such as "VICTRIX" or carry an Imperial family name.

Some units for example COHORS I BATAVORVM MILLIARIA CIVIUM ROMANORUM PIA FIDELIS, or COHORS I FIDA VARDULLORUM MILLIARIA EQUITATA CIVIUM ROMANORUM could amass many titles.
Auxiliary units lacked the specialised skills and equipment of the larger legions and were paid proportionately less. Moreover they tended not to be among the recipients of the large donatives handed out to the legions and the Praetorian Guard by successive emperors desperate to retain the loyalty of their troops. However, the Citizen cohorts thanks largely to the will of Augustus, were practically on the same pay level as the Legionaries, and in consequence their commanders bear the title of Tribunus.

Stationed in small forts along the frontiers the auxiliaries were mainly used for garrison and policing duties. When major campaigns were launched against the barbarians massed beyond the empire's defences, the auxiliary cohorts would be drawn on to provide support arms for the main legionary force.

Like their comrades in the legions the auxiliary troops were divided into centuries of 80-100 men commanded by a centurion. The centurions were as likely as not to be Roman citizens in the time-honored tradition of empire officers being placed in command of native troops. Such an appointment might represent a promotion from a one of the legions. It might be a direct appointment provided under the patronage of a provincial governor, or even the emperor himself. Certainly many of the centurions were drawn from the same native stock as the rank and file. Above the centurions was the commander of the quingenaria cohort - the Praefectus who was an equestrian officer. The rank of prefect was a senior one and commanded respect right across the army. The command of a cohors milliaria or civium Romanorum was usually in the form of a Tribunus. Command of an auxiliary cohort was often the reward conferred on outstanding legionary centurions who had proved deserving of independent command. Attached to today's Fourteenth legion, as in the Roman past, is a unit of provincial auxiliaries from the lands around the mouth of the Rhine, the First Cohort of Batavians, one thousand strong, loyal and faithful citizens of Rome.

[century x]

Here u go tenth.