Legio I Macriana liberatrix
Encyclopedia
Legio I Macriana liberatrix (Latin for "First legion Macriana liberatrix"; Macriana is a reference to its founder, Macer) was a Roman legion
levied in Africa by the governor Lucius Clodius Macer
in 68.
The purpose of the legion was to join forces with Legio III Augusta
in the rebellion of Galba
(governor of Hispania Terraconensis) against emperor Nero
. Nero eventually committed suicide and was replaced by Galba. But the new emperor looked at Macer with mistrust, fearing another rebellion against himself. Macer was killed in 69, the Year of the Four Emperors
, and I Macriana liberatrix was disbanded. The emblem of the legion is unknown.
Roman legion
A Roman legion normally indicates the basic ancient Roman army unit recruited specifically from Roman citizens. The organization of legions varied greatly over time but they were typically composed of perhaps 5,000 soldiers, divided into maniples and later into "cohorts"...
levied in Africa by the governor Lucius Clodius Macer
Lucius Clodius Macer
Lucius Clodius Macer was a legatus of the Roman Empire in Africa in the time of Nero. He revolted in May 68, cutting off the food supply of Rome, possibly at the instigation of Calvia Crispinilla...
in 68.
The purpose of the legion was to join forces with Legio III Augusta
Legio III Augusta
Legio tertia Augusta was raised in the year 43 BCE most likely by the consul Gaius Vibius Pansa and the emperor Augustus who served the Roman Empire in North Africa until at least the late 4th century CE. It is possible that it fought in the battle of Philippi against the murderers of Caesar...
in the rebellion of Galba
Galba
Galba , was Roman Emperor for seven months from 68 to 69. Galba was the governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, and made a bid for the throne during the rebellion of Julius Vindex...
(governor of Hispania Terraconensis) against emperor Nero
Nero
Nero , was Roman Emperor from 54 to 68, and the last in the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Nero was adopted by his great-uncle Claudius to become his heir and successor, and succeeded to the throne in 54 following Claudius' death....
. Nero eventually committed suicide and was replaced by Galba. But the new emperor looked at Macer with mistrust, fearing another rebellion against himself. Macer was killed in 69, the Year of the Four Emperors
Year of the Four Emperors
The Year of the Four Emperors was a year in the history of the Roman Empire, AD 69, in which four emperors ruled in a remarkable succession. These four emperors were Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian....
, and I Macriana liberatrix was disbanded. The emblem of the legion is unknown.