Legio VIII Augusta Roman Standard

The Legio VIII Augusta was one of the longest-lived units of the Roman army, with a history spanning more than four centuries of continuous service. Born under Julius Caesar around 59 BC, it was first deployed in the Gallic wars, distinguishing itself at Gergovia and Alesia and earning the nickname Gallica for the valour it displayed. It then took part in the civil war at Caesar’s side, fighting at Pharsalus, in Egypt and at Thapsus.

Temporarily disbanded after 46 BC, it was reorganised by Octavian, who used it in the campaigns decisive for the control of Rome, such as Mutina, where it earned the epithet Mutinensis. In the imperial age it was transferred to Poetovio and then along the Danube, obtaining the title Augusta and, after the suppression of the revolt in Thrace under Claudius, that of bis Augusta.

After the chaos of the Year of the Four Emperors, the legion finally sided with Vespasian and was transferred to the Rhine, to Argentoratum (Strasbourg), which remained its main headquarters until the 4th century; it also took part in the Parthian campaigns of Septimius Severus. The last records show it still active in the 4th–5th centuries, a sign of a very long and loyal service to the Roman state.