LEGIO OCTAE AVGVSTA MUTINENSIS GALLICA VICTRIX – THE EIGHT AUGUSTAN LEGION - Page 1

The eight legion is one of the oldest legions of the roman army. Thought to have been formed by Gaius Julius Caesar in 59 BC, they fought in Caesars Gallic wars and the subsequent roman civil war between Caesar and Pompey. During this time the legion saw action at Confinium and Brindisi. The legion is also thought to have served at Dyrrhachium where they took heavy losses.

The legion fought as one unit with the ninth at Pharsalis where they were victorious against the army of Pompey. After the end of the civil war most of the soldiers were repatriated to Italy where many were retired and received land in Campania. In 46 BC the legion took part in Caesars North African campaign winning victory at Thapsus. Veterans of this campaign are thought to have been given land in Casilinum when the legion was effectively disbanded. By this time Caesars enemies were effectively annihilated with the defeat of Pompey’s sons at Munda.

Having won the throne for Cleopatra in Egypt, Gaius Julius Caesar returned to Rome where he was elected perpetual dictator by the roman senate in 44 BC. Caesar did not enjoy his newly won dictatorship for long however as he was betrayed and murdered by a group of senators led by Cassius and Brutus in February of that year.