Legio I Germanica
Legio I Germanica, also known as the First German Legion, was probably founded by Julius Caesar and later fought for Octavian. Its emblem was the bull and the legion’s name points to long service in Germania.
Cognomen: Germanica
Emblem: Bull
Major Campaigns: Octavian’s campaign against Sextus Pompey (36 BC); Cantabrian Wars (27-19 BC); Germanicus’ German campaign (15-17 AD); Vindex’s Revolt (67 AD); Bedriacum (69 AD); Batavian Revolt (69-70 AD)
Main HQ: Bonna (Bonn, Germany)
Commanders: Fabius Valens (legate, 68-69 AD)
Early Service
Before 6 AD, there is scant evidence for the activities of Legio I Germanica except for a few sources. Appian mentions in his Civil Wars that the legion fought for Octavian in Sicily against Sextus Pompey. Coins minted in the new Roman colonies of Hispania give evidence to Legio I Germanica being part of the army that fought in the Cantabrian Wars and then had their veterans settled in the colonies.
Service in Germania
Legio I Germanica moved to Germania in 6 AD, or before, as it was part of Sentius Saturninus’ forces mustering to march on the Marcomanni as part of Tiberius’ aborted campaign. It remained there until 70 AD, gaining its cognomen along the way.
When Augustus died in 14 AD, Legio I Germanica was one of the Rhine legions that mutinied and had to be quelled by Germanicus. It subsequently joined him on campaign across the Rhine as part of a punitive expedition after the Varian Disaster. On return, it was stationed at Bonna (Bonn).
In 21 AD, a rebellion among the Gauls broke out, led by Julius Florus and Julius Sacrovir, against Roman taxation. Legio I Germanica was in command of the force that was sent to put down this uprising.
In 67 AD, C. Julius Vindex, the governor of Gallia Lugdunensis, rebelled against Nero and supported Galba’s claim to the throne. The legions of Germania Inferior, including Legio I Germanica, successfully crushed the rebellion but Galba still became emperor. The Rhine legions did not support Galba and instead gave their support to Vitellius, governor of Germania Superior. A vexillation of Legio I Germanica fought in both battles at Bedriacum in the Year of the Four Emperors.
Disbandment
The rest of Legio I Germanica was faced with the Batavian Revolt, which broke out in the same year. By 70 AD, the Batavi rebels had defeated the Upper Rhine legions and were besieging them at Castra Vetera and so the Lower Rhine legions were sent to deal with the problem. Disgracefully, both Legio I Germanica and Legio XVI Gallica surrendered to the rebels.
After Q. Petilius Cerealis successfully put down the rebellion, Vespasian disbanded the shameful legions, including Legio I Germanica.
Digital Maps of the Ancient World 