Legio IV Macedonica ("Macedonian Fourth Legion"), was a legion of the Imperial Roman army founded in 48 BC by Gaius Julius Caesar (dictator of Rome 49–44 BC) with Italian legionaries. The legion was disbanded in AD 70 by Emperor Vespasian. The legion symbols were a bull (as with all of Caesar's legions) and a capricorn.

History

Early history

This legion was possibly founded in Italy during the 48 BCE Julius Caesar, who needed it in his war against Pompey. It saw its first action at the Battle of Dyrrhachium. After the civil war the legion was stationed in Macedonia. It was supposed to serve in Caesar's campaign against the Parthian Empire. However, the expedition was canceled after Caesar's death. This legion would go onto fight in the civil war between Antony and Augustus. Before the conflict erupted, the legion was moved to Italy by Mark Antony, although this did not deter them from siding with Augustus In 42 BC, the legion fought at the Battle of Philippi and returned to the Italy with Augustus. It was nearly destroyed at the Battle of Phillipi, however it survived to be rebuilt. Likely resulting in the name Macedonica. Probably in 41 AD.However. Some people think that the legion was transferred in 39 AD, when emperor Caligula waged war against the Germanic Chatti. While stationed in Germania the Fourth shared the fortress with the recently founded XXII Primigenia. The younger unit occupied the less honorable left-hand side, whereas IV Macedonica was living in the right-hand side. The lion was related to Hercules, Vespasian's favorite deity. by general Corbulo. During the reign of Domitian, it fought against the Alemmani and Dacians. Later it fought in Trajan's Dacian Wars. The Legio IV Macedonica would remain in Singudunum for the next 200 years. Afterwards it disappears from history.

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|Lucius Martius Macer

|Legatus

|Unknown

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See also

  • List of Roman legions

References

  • livius.org account of Legio IV Macedonica
  • Legio IV MACEDONICA – reenactment site (in Spanish)