Legio III Gallica

Roman legion Third Legion GallicaLegio III GallicaLegio Tertia GallicaMap of the Roman Empire in AD 125, under emperor Hadrian, showing the Third Legion Gallica, stationed at Syria province from 30 BC to the 4th centuryActive49 or 48 BCE until the 4th centuryCountryRoman Republic (closing years) and Roman EmpireTypeRoman legionMilitary unit Two bulls, symbol of the III Gallica, bearing the legion standard LEG III GAL. Coin of Elagabalus, who became emperor with the decisive support of this legion. Legio III Gallica (lit. Third Legion "Gallic") was a legion of the Imperial Roman army. The cognomen Gallica suggests that its earliest recruits came from veterans of the Gallic legions of Julius Caesar, a supposition supported by its emblem, a bull, a symbol associated with Caesar. The legion was based for most of its existence at Raphanea, Roman Syria, and was still active in Egypt in the early 4th century. Under the Republic The legion was founded in either 49 or 48 BC by Julius Caesar to help in Caesar's war against Pompey. The soldiers of the legion were exclusively from Transalpine Gaul and Cisalpine Gaul. After Caesar died, the III Gallica joined Mark Antony's army. While in the se