Legio XIII Gemina

• The Legio XIII Gemina was founded by Julius Caesar in 57 BCE and is notable for accompanying Caesar when he Crossed the Rubicon (49 BCE).
• It was based in Alba Julia in Dacia between 106-271 CE.

Regimental Details

• Creation:
  • 57 BCE Levied by Julius Caesar.
• Dates:
  • 57 BCE-c.400 CE.
• Fortress Bases:
  • Augsburg (Augusta Vindelicorum) Raetia (9CE)
  • Windisch (Vindonissa) Germania Superior (15 -44-5 CE)
  • Alba Julia(Apulum), Dacia (106-271 CE)
  • Moesia Superior (271 CE- uncertain)
• Title:
  • ‘Gemina’ meaning the ‘Thirteenth twinned Legion’.
• Emblems:
  • A Lion
• Notable Commanders:
  • Julius Caesar
  • Otho
• Structure of the Legion:
  • Roman Legion
  • Roman Army
  • Roman Weapons

Chronology

Early Campaigns:

Campaigned in the Gallic Wars (58-51 BCE)

• • 58-51 BCE Campaigned with Julius Caesar during the Gallic Wars including the Battle of Gergovia.

Crossing the Rubicon (49 BCE)

• • 10 January 49 BCE It was the legion that famously accompanied Julius Caesar when he crossed the Rubicon to reach Rome.

Other Early Campaigns: (48 BCE-9 CE)

• • 48 BCE Fought in the Battle of Dyrrhachium and the Battle of Pharsalus
  • 48 BCE Disbanded.
  • 46 BCE Reformed for the Battle of Thapsus and the Battle of Munda
  • 46 BCE disbanded again.
  • 41 BCE Reformed by Octavian to deal with the Rebellion of Sextus Pompeius (Pompey’s son) in Sicily.
  • Sent to Burnum, Illyricum
  • 16 BCE sent to Emonia (Ljubljana), Pannonia

Posting in Raetia (9-101 CE)

• 9 CE sent to Augsburg (Augusta Vindelicorum), Raetia, possibly to replace the Legio XIX
• 15-44-5 CE Moved to Windisch (Vindonissa), Raetia.
• 69 CE During the Year of the Four Emperors, the legion supported Otho, then Vespasian against Vitellius at the Battle of Bedriacum.

Posting in Dacia (101-271 CE)

• 101-106 CE Campaigned under Trajan in the Dacian Wars.
• 106 CE Alba Julia (Apulium) in Dacia.

Posting in Moesia Superior (271 CE- uncertain)

• 271 CE It was withdrawn from Dacia and moved South to Moesia Superior (Moesia Superior was renamed Dacia Aureliana).

Conclusion

• The Notitia Dignitatum (c.400 CE) only mentions a Vexillatio of the Legion being stationed at Fort Babylon in Egypt. Its main base is unknown at this date.

Alba Julia, Roumania