Legio V Alaudae

The Legio V Alaudae, also known as the Legio V Gallica, was founded by Julius Caesar in 52 BCE.
It was based in Xanten, Germania Inferior between c.19 BCE-70 CE.

Creation:
- 52 BCE Levied by Julius Caesar from the Gauls in Gallia Transalpina.
Dates:
- 52 BCE-70 or 86 CE.
Fortress Bases:
- Merida, Lusitania (30-c.19 BCE)
- Xanten, Germania Inferior (c.19 BCE-70 CE)
  - Castra Vetera was a Double Fortress. The Legion occupied the western half of the Base, whilst the Legio XV Primigenia occupied the other half.
Title:
- Meaning ‘Fifth Larks Legion’ (from wearing crests on their helmets)
- Also known as ‘Legio V Gallica’
Emblems:
- An Elephant. Awarded for charging against Elephants at the Battle of Thapsus (46 BCE)
Notable Commanders:
Veterans of the Legion:
- Emerita Augusta
  - Founded in 25 BCE by Augustus for veterans of the Legion after the Cantabrian Wars.
Structure of the Legion:

Early Campaigns:

58-50 BCE Fought with Julius Caesar in the Gallic Wars
49 BCE Moved to Hispania
46 BCE Fought at the Battle of Thapsus and the Battle of Munda
44-31 BCE Served under Mark Anthony against the Roman Republic:
43 BCE 14 April Fought under Mark Anthony at the Battle of Forum Gallorum and 43 BCE 21 April the Battle of Mutina.
42 BCE Fought under Mark Anthony against Octavian at the Battle of Phillipi in Greece.
31 BCE probably fought under Mark Anthony at the Battle of Actium

19 BCE-70 CE Based in Castra Vetera, Xanten in Germania Inferior.
6 CE Preparations underway for a massive invasion of Germania
9 CE Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ended Roman hopes of conquering Germania.
14 CE Involved in a Mutiny on the Rhine.
14-16 CE Campaigned under Germanicus.
28 CE Campaigned against the Frisians.
40 CE Caligula took the Legion to Lugdunum (Katwijk) on the North Sea, for the invasion of Britannia. This is the Legion he commanded to pick shells from the beach to send to Rome.
47 CE Campaigned against the Frisians and the Chauci under Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo.
They built the Fossa Corbulonis ‘Corbulo’s Canal’ (see Roman Canal List), from Leiden to Voorburg which can be seen today as ‘The Leek’.
69 CE Along with the Armies of Germania, the Legion declared Vitellius Emperor and fought at the Battle of Bedriacum.
70 CE Fought during the Batavian Revolt but took heavy casualties. Besieged at Xanten and had to surrender to the Batavians in March 70 CE.

Some Historians consider the Legion was disbanded in 70 CE. Others that it was destroyed during the Dacian Wars in 85-86 CE, along with the Governor Oppius Sabinus, when the Dacians invaded Moesia in a surprise attack. Their Standard was recovered by Trajan in 101 or 102 CE.

Xanten, Germany