Legio VI Ferrata
| Legio VI Ferrata | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Active | 65 BC to at least 215 AD |
| Country | Roman Republic and Roman Empire |
| Type | Roman legion (Marian) |
| Role | Infantry assault |
| Mascot(s) | Bull |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Julius Caesar Mark Antony Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo |
Legio sexta ferrata ("Sixth Ironclad Legion") was a legion of the Imperial Roman army. It probably originated from the Republican general Pompey's 6th legion in Spain. In 30 BC it became part of the emperor Augustus's standing army. It continued in existence into the 4th century. A Legio VI fought in the Roman Republican civil wars of the 40s and 30s BC. Sent to garrison the province of Judaea, it remained there for the next two centuries.
The Legion was also known as Fidelis Constans, meaning "loyal and steadfast". It is unclear when this title was given, but several sources indicate that it may have been in the 1st century AD. The symbol for Legio VI Ferrata was the bull. It also carried the symbolic she-wolf with Romulus and Remus.
Later seeing action at battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC, Julius Caesar took the 6th to Alexandria to settle the dispute in Egypt with Cleopatra. Alexandria was besieged, and the 6th suffered many casualties, losing approximately two-thirds of its strength. Caesar eventually triumphed when reinforcements under Mithridates of Pergamum arrived.
Caesar took his "Veteran Sixth Legion" with him to Syria and Pontus.
The Legion served in Pontus under Caesar in 48 and 47 BC. This culminated in the battle of Zela where victory was won by Legio VI.
During Caesar's African war against Scipio in 46 BC, the Sixth Legion deserted en masse from Scipio to reinforce Caesar and fought under him.
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