thumb|300px|Two bulls, symbol of the III Gallica, bearing the legion standard LEG III GAL. Coin of [[Elagabalus, who became emperor with the decisive support of this legion.]]

Legio III Gallica ( Third Legion "Gallic") was a legion of the Imperial Roman army. The cognomen Gallica suggests that its earliest recruits came from veterans of the Gallic legions of Julius Caesar, a supposition supported by its emblem, a bull, a symbol associated with Caesar. The legion was based for most of its existence at Raphanea, Roman Syria, and was still active in Egypt in the early 4th century.

Under the Republic

The legion was founded in either 49 or 48 BC by Julius Caesar to help in Caesar's war against Pompey. The soldiers of the legion were exclusively from Transalpine Gaul and Cisalpine Gaul. After Caesar died, the III Gallica joined Mark Antony's army. While in the service of Mark Antony the legion would fight at the battle of Munda and Phillipi. They were included in the army levied by Fulvia and Lucius Antonius to oppose Octavian, but ended by surrendering in Perugia, in the winter of 41 BC.

Under the Empire

Service under Herod and service in Antony's campaign against the Parthians

The legion served in Antony's Parthian War in 36 BC. After the battle of Actium and Antony's suicide during Antony's Civil War, the III Gallica was sent again to the East, where they garrisoned the province of Syria. The campaign lasted from 58-68 AD. Corbulo's successes triggered the emperor Nero's resentment and eventually the general was forced to commit suicide. In 68 AD, III Gallica was transferred to the province of Moesia on the Danube.

Year of the Four Emperors

In the Year of the Four Emperors in 69, the legion, and the rest of the Danubian army, aligned first with Otho, then with Vespasian.

In Syria

thumbnail|left|Inscription of Legio III Gallica at the [[Nahr al Kalb inscriptions]]

On returning to Syria, the legion made its base at Raphanaea. While the legion was in Syria, vexillations may have fought in Trajan and Domitian's Dacian wars. In 132 the III Gallica was called on to crush the Jewish rebellion. An inscription found in Rome attests that towards the end of Hadrian's reign the legion was still based in Syria. They also took part in Lucius Verus' campaign against the Parthians under Gaius Avidius Cassius.

During the Year of the Five Emperors the Syrian Legions, including the III Gallica, supported Pescennius Niger. However, Septimius Severus emerged as the victor. Septimius Severus would campaign against the Parthian Empire; one of the legions that fought in this campaign was the III Gallica. During the reign of Roman Emperor Caracalla, the Legion left an inscription amongst the Commemorative stelae of Nahr el-Kalb.

| legatus legionis

| c. 138

| Syria

|

|-

| Marcus Servilius Fabianus Maximus

| tribunus laticlavius

| c. 137-140

| Syria

|

|-

| Lucius Pullaienus Gargilius Antiquus

| tribunus laticlavius

| c. 145

| Syria

|

|}

See also

  • List of Roman legions

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Notes

References

Primary sources

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Secondary sources

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References

  • livius.org account of Legio III Gallica