Legio VI Ferrata Roman Standard

The Legio VI Ferrata was one of the longest-lived and most prestigious legions of Rome, recruited by Caesar in August 47 BC (according to other sources in 52 BC) with troops from Cisalpine Gaul and Illyricum. The name “Ferrata” derived from the heavy metal armour of its soldiers. Its symbols were the bull and the image of the Capitoline Wolf.

The legion distinguished itself at the battle of Zela (47 BC) against Pharnaces II of Pontus, celebrated by Caesar’s motto “Veni, Vidi, Vici”. After Caesar’s assassination it took part in the battle of Philippi (42 BC) and was divided between Octavian and Mark Antony: the first half became the VI Victrix, the other remained the VI Ferrata under Antony.

Stationed in Syria and Judaea, in AD 35 it crossed the Euphrates against the Jews who refused the image of Caligula in the Temple. From AD 54 to 60 it served under Corbulo in Armenia against the Parthians. In AD 106 it took part in the conquest of Arabia under Trajan and in the Dacian wars. In AD 193, for its loyalty to Septimius Severus, it received the title of Fidelis Constans Felix. It remained active until the 5th century AD.