LEGIO OCTAVA AVGVSTA MVTINENSIS GALLICA VICTRIX
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The emblem of the Legion is a Bull. Our legion was formed in 59 BC, or possibly earlier, and fought in Julius Caesar’s Gallic Wars between 58 and 49 BC. The Eighth Legion was part of the army Caesar led across the River Rubicon into Italy itself in 49 BC, effectively declaring war on the Senate. |
| The unit fought against Pompey at Pharsalus, in Thrace (a region nowadays spread over southern Bulgaria, northeastern Greece, and European Turkey) on 6 June, 48 BC, winning an overwhelming victory. Caesar’s victorious army travelled onto Egypt and captured the throne for Queen Cleopatra. Finally, in 46 BC, by way of Italy, the Eighth Legion took part in a further victory at Thapsus, (in modern Tunisia). The legion was disbanded in 46 BC, as nearly all Caesar’s enemies had been defeated. The last sparks of opposition were stamped out in 45 BC when Pompey’s sons were defeated at Munda in Hispania (modern Spain). |
As for Gaius Julius Caesar - he had himself appointed perpetual dictator in February 44 BC. A month later on 15 March, he was assassinated by a group of senators on the eve of his departure for a campaign against the Parthians. His death left two main contenders for control of the empire, Mark Antony (his greatest supporter) and Octavian (subsequently "Augustus" - his adoptive son and legitimate heir). The Eighth Legion was reformed by Octavian and helped him to fulfill his destiny as the first Roman Emperor, taking the name "AUGUSTA", meaning "devoted to Augustus". The unit gained its other title "MUTINENSIS", following a victory in 43 BC at Mutina (now called Modena, in Northern Italy) against the rival Mark Antony.
Legio VIII Augusta MGV provided a detachment of troops for the invasion of Britain. The main portion of the Legion remained on the German Frontier. The main body of the army consisted of four legions: II Augusta, IX Hispania, XIV Gemina Martia Victrix, and XX (later Valeria Victrix). Each Legion would have been accompanied with its associated auxiliary forces made up of non-citizen soldiers. The invasion force sailed from Gesoriacum (now Boulogne, France) in 43 AD under the command of Aulus Plautius, who became the first Roman Governor of the province of Britannia. A detachment of Legio VIII Augusta fought at Maiden Castle (south of Dorchester, Dorset) together with Legio II Augusta.
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It appears
that detachments from Legio VIII Augusta continued to operate in the province
for many years after the invasion, just as the "British" Legions
sent troops to other parts of the empire. |
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