Legio VI Victrix Roman Standard

The Legio VI Victrix was established by Octavian in 41 BC as the twin of the VI Ferrata, probably by enlisting veterans of Caesar’s campaigns. It saw its first action at the siege of Perusia and fought against Sextus Pompey in Sicily, protecting Rome’s vital grain supplies. In 31 BC it took part in the battle of Actium against Mark Antony and Cleopatra, contributing to the victory that paved the way for the Augustan principate.

Stationed in Hispania with the nickname Hispaniensis, it took part in the hard Cantabrian wars between 25 and 13 BC, consolidating Roman rule over the region. Under Nero and the Flavians it operated along the Rhine, intervening in the suppression of the Batavian revolt and earning the honorific title of Victrix, “victorious”.

In AD 119 Hadrian transferred the legion to northern Britain, where it replaced the IX Hispana at Eboracum (York) and took part in the building of Hadrian’s Wall. It remained there for a long time, supporting usurpers and emperors, until the gradual withdrawal of Roman troops from Britain in the early 5th century.