Legio XVIII

The Legio XVIII ( also Legio XIIX ) was a Roman legion. It was probably erected around 41/40 BC under Octavian, is mentioned for the time of the civil wars but not in any source. There probably was no connection with the Legio XVIII libyca of Marcus Antonius. Also a reference to the LEG XVIII of the Cilician governor Publius Cornelius Lentulus Spinther ( 56-53 ) or the Civil War legions of Caesar and Pompey, both of which possessed a 18th Legion, is only hypothetical.

In 30 or 14 BC veterans of the Legion in the newly built Colonia Ateste ( northern Italy) were settled. Subsequently, the Legion was perhaps stationed in Aquitaine, before she was transferred to 15 BC to the Rhine front. Since that time the Legion had their winter camp probably in Vetera ( Xanten ), Oberaden or holders. In Magna Germania Legio XVIII took part in the Germania campaigns of Drusus ( 13-9 BC) and Tiberius (8 BC -5 AD), which were successfully completed in 5 AD.

Tiberius led 6 AD at least eight legions ( Legio VIII Augusta and Legio XV Apollinaris from Pannonia, Legio XX Valeria Victrix from Illyricum, Legio XXI Rapax from Raetia, Legio XIII Gemina, Legio XIV Gemina and Legio XVI Gallica from Germania superior and a unknown unit ) from the south against Maroboduus, the Marcomanni king, while the Legio I Germanica, Legio V Alaudae, Legio XVII, Legio XVIII, and Legio XIX anmarschierten from the north. That represented half of the total military potential of the Romans at the time dar. Shortly after the start of the campaign in the spring of 6 Tiberius broke him again when he received the news of the Pannonian revolt. However, Tiberius joined yet a treaty of friendship with Maroboduus to fully concentrate on the difficult task in Pannonia.

In 9 AD the Legion in Vetera ( near modern Xanten ) was stationed before it was destroyed in the Battle of Varus. The Aquila ( legionary eagles ) of the Legion was recaptured in A.D. 41.

Three members of the Legion are known by name: the military tribune Caius Pompeius Proculus of Rome, which then rose further in the knightly career, the fallen in centurion Marcus Caelius Varusschlacht and simple Miles Titus Atidius Porcio from Ateste.

504865
de