Legio X Gemina Roman Standard

The Legio X Gemina has its origins in the legion raised by Julius Caesar around 59 BC, initially known as the Legio X and deployed in the conquest of Gaul from 58 to 49 BC.

It took part in Caesar’s main campaigns: it fought against the Nervii, took part in the landing in Britain and in the sieges of Gergovia and Alesia, becoming one of the general’s most trusted units. It also followed Caesar in the civil wars, distinguishing itself in Spain and in the great battles of Pharsalus (48 BC), Thapsus (46 BC) and Munda (45 BC).

Disbanded after Caesar’s victory, it was re-formed by Lepidus in 44 BC and then passed to Mark Antony, fighting at Philippi in 42 BC. Under Augustus the legion was reorganised and took the title “Gemina”, indicating its merger with another unit of the same number. During the Empire it was deployed on the Rhine–Danube fronts; around AD 103 it was stationed at Vindobona (Vienna) to protect the Danubian limes and took part in Trajan’s Dacian campaigns and the Marcomannic wars. Its history continues until the late empire, when it was probably disbanded or absorbed into other units..