Legio XVI Gallica
Legio XVI Gallica ("Gallic Sixteenth Legion") was a legion of the Imperial Roman army.[1] The legion was recruited by Julius Caesar's adopted son, Octavian in 41/40 BC. It was disbanded after surrendering during the Batavian rebellion (AD 70);[2] Emperor Vespasian created a new legion, the XVI Flavia Firma.
Operational History
[edit]Raised by Octavian around 41/40 BC to fight against Sextus Pompey, Legio XVI was later stationed along the Rhine frontier following the reorganization of the Roman provinces.[3] After the catastrophic Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in AD 9, the XVI Gallica was relocated to Mogontiacum (modern Mainz, Germany) alongside Legio XIV Gemina to reinforce Germania Superior against potential Germanic incursions.[3][4] During the reign of Claudius, the legion actively participated in campaigns against the Chatti.[3] In AD 70, during the turmoil of the Batavian Rebellion, units of the legion surrendered to Civilis after being besieged.[2][3] Following the restoration of order by Emperor Vespasian, the compromised legion was disbanded, and its loyal remnants were reconstituted into a new formation, Legio XVI Flavia Firma.[3]
Attested members
[edit]| Name | Rank | Time frame | Province | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quintus Trebellius Catulus | legatus legionis | between 39 and 54 | Germania | CIL VI, 31771 |
| Lucius Cornelius Pusio Annius Messalla | legatus legionis | before 69 | Germania | CIL VI, 31706 |
| Numisius Rufus | legatus legionis | 69-70 | Germania | Tacitus, Histories IV.22, 59, 70, 77 |
| Publius Quinctius | tribunus angusticlavius | during the Triumvirate? | ? | CIL VI, 3533 |
| Claudius Sanctus | tribunus angusticlavius | 69 | Germania | Tacitus, Histories, IV.62 |
| Marcus Helvius Geminus | tribunus laticlavius | between 38 and 54 | Germania | CIL III, 6074 |
See also
[edit]External links
[edit]
- "Legio XVI Gallica" on livius.org (Last accessed 2 January 2020)
References
[edit]- ↑ Stephen Dando-Collins (3 September 2013). Legions of Rome. Quercus. pp. 136–. ISBN 978-1-62365-201-2.
- 1 2 Matthew Bunson (1 January 2009). Encyclopedia of the Roman Empire. Infobase Publishing. pp. 313–. ISBN 978-1-4381-1027-1.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Lendering, Jona. "Legio XVI Gallica". Livius.org. Retrieved 2026-07-22.
- ↑ Ritterling, Emil (1925). "Legio (XVI)". Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft (in German). Vol. XII, 2. pp. 1761–1764.
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