Legio XVI Gallica Roman Vexillum

Legio XVI Gallica was a Late Republican and Imperial legion, active from about 49 BC to 70 AD. Originating from the 16th legion recruited by Caesar at the outbreak of the civil war, it initially enlisted many Cisalpines and Pompeians who had surrendered after Corfinium. After the dictator's death, it passed to Lepidus and then, from 36 BC, to Octavian, who used it in the war against Sextus Pompey and then at Actium.

After the civil war, it was sent to proconsular Africa and subsequently transferred to Gaul to quell a revolt in Aquitania; from then on, it permanently adopted the cognomen Gallica and the lion as its emblem. During the Julio-Claudian era, it operated on the Rhine front, participating in campaigns in Magna Germania from Drusus to Germanicus and in Tiberius' planned offensive against Maroboduus, generally based between Mogontiacum and Novaesium. In 69, it supported Galba and then Vitellius, fighting at Bedriacum during the Year of the Four Emperors.

Involved in the Batavian Revolt (69-70 AD) under Gaius Julius Civilis, the legion eventually surrendered, bringing great dishonor upon itself in the eyes of Rome. Vespasian disbanded it and established Legio XVI Flavia Firma with the same number but a new name and tradition.