Legio Martia - Printable Version +- RomanArmyTalk (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat) +-- Forum: Research Arena (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/forumdisplay.php?fid=4) +--- Forum: Roman Military History & Archaeology (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/forumdisplay.php?fid=8) +--- Thread: Legio Martia (/showthread.php?tid=19089) |
Legio Martia - AureliusFalco - 07-05-2011 I was flipping through one of my books last night(From Republic to Empire: The Roman Civil War 44 B.C. - 27 B.C. by W.W. Tarn, M.P. Charlesworth ) and when reading about the early split between Antony and Octavian the Legio Martia was mentioned a few times. Then, during the description of the Battle of Forum Gallorum, the Legio Martia makes up most of Ocatavian and Hirtius army. I can't seem to find any information on this legion online(that being the only way I can do most research!) Can anyone help? Re: Legio Martia - Nathan Ross - 07-05-2011 The Legio Martia is mentioned by Cicero (Philippics I.8 ) as forming part of Octavian's army. From this we can assume that it was one of six legions gathered in Macedonia for Caesar's proposed Parthian expedition. Appian describes the part played by the legion as the vanguard of Octavian's force in the civil wars, principally at Forum Gallorum as you mentioned. He also describes the final fate of the legion: on the same day as the battle of Philippi, the 'Martian legion, a name which had been given to it as a distinction for bravery' was crossing the Adriatic in transport vessels, when they were met by 130 enemy warships.... Quote:"The men who were exposed to this danger performed many deeds of valour. Sometimes they hastily warped their ships together with ropes and made them fast with spars to prevent the enemy from breaking through their line. But when they succeeded in doing this (the enemy) discharged burning arrows at them. Then they cast off their fastenings as quickly as possible and separated from each other on account of the fire and thus again were exposed to being surrounded or rammed by the triremes. Read the whole account HERE Possibly the Legio Martia were formed from men of various other units (discharged veterans?) at some point before Caesar's death. Here's a tombstone of a centurion of the legion, Minucius Lorarius, which was found at Padua: - Nathan Re: Legio Martia - AureliusFalco - 07-05-2011 Excellent thank you! 'Martian legion, a name which had been given to it as a distinction for bravery' Is the name Martia a reference to Mars then? Re: Legio Martia - Nathan Ross - 07-06-2011 Quote:Is the name Martia a reference to Mars then? Yes. Legio Martia means 'Legion of Mars'. Re: Legio Martia - Narukami - 07-06-2011 Fascinating. :!: Narukami |