Ancient Roman Legionary Silver ring Legio I Germanica founded by Julius Caesar

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Ancient Roman Legionary Silver ring Legio I Germanica founded by Julius Caesar :
$119.50

EXTREMELY RAREANCIENT Roman LEGIONARY SILVER ring.SOLID SILVER - Wearable - 9.89 grams !!!-19mm.=0.76\" Inner diameter

>Ancient Roman Legionary Silver ring military Imperial army engravingBULL

Abbreviation Engraved :

>Engraving \" BULL\"(Combat emblem / symbol of the Legion)

>LEG( Legio ):I(First)

>GERM( Name of the Legio \"\" GERMANICA\"\")

Legio I Germanica

Legio I Germanica, the 1st Germanic Legion, was alegion of the Imperial Roman army, possibly founded in 48 BC by Gaius Julius Caesar to fight for him in the civil war against Pompey. Thetitle germanic is a reference to its service in Germany, rather than the placeof origin of its soldiers. After the Revolt of the Batavi (AD 70), theremaining men of the Germanica were added to Galba\'s seventh legion, whichbecame VII Gemina. The emblem of Legio I is unknown, but it was probably BULL, like allthe other legions levied by Caesar (except the V Alaudae).

Origin :

There aretwo theories about I Germanica recruitment. The most favored is that it wasraised by Julius Caesar in 48 BC to fight in the civil war against Pompey. Inthat case it would have fought in the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC.

A secondtheory attributes its recruitment to Gaius Vibius Pansa Caetronianus, a partisanof Caesar, who died in the Battle of Forum Gallorum against Mark Antony in 43BC. Legio I would have been recruited in that year for that campaign.

Howeverrecruited, Legio I was inherited by Augustus and therefore ought to have beenentitled to the cognomen Augusta after distinguished service under his eyes;however, there was no Legio I Augusta. That title was stripped after a defeatin the Cantabrian wars and the loss of its standard to the Astur and Cantabrianpeoples.

Distinguished service in Germania :

Around theturn of the century, Legio I appears on the Rhine frontier. The Annales ofTacitus state (1.42.6) that they received standards from Tiberius, but whenthat was is not clear. This statement is problematic because only new orreconstituted legions received standards. The legion could have beenreconstituted after Spain aquila (which was lost during the Cantabrian warswhen the Legio I was obliterated down to the last fighting against the Asturand Cantabri) and received new vexillae, or manipular standards, which wouldindicate a reorganization with perhaps replacements.

The legionsoon redeemed itself, winning the title Germanica for distinguished service inGermania. Exactly when they won it is not known. They were initially stationedat Oppidum Ubiorum (Cologne) in the jurisdiction that was to become GermaniaInferior. For the time being, the province contained five legions and was underPublius Quinctilius Varus.

In AD 9,Varus and three legions were lured away to the north to suffer extinction inthe Battle of Teutoburg forest. Fortunately for Legio I he had not taken hisentire command but left two legions in camp under legati or junior officers,Legio I being commanded by a nephew of Varus, Lucius Asprenas.

Mostlikely, the title Germanica was granted for service in Drusus\' subsequentpunitive and exploratory campaigns against the Germanic tribes. Drusus wasextremely popular. It was an honor to be in his service and he made sure thathis men were honored properly.

Spanish disgrace :

The careerof Legio I subsequent to the civil wars remains somewhat unclear. It isbelieved to be identical to the Legio I that took part in the Spanish campaignagainst the Cantabri conducted for Augustus by Marcus Agrippa and was disgracedthere. Inscriptions on Spanish coins indicate that between 30 and 16 BC, someLegio I was stationed in Hispania Tarraconensis, where they would have foughtin the war against the Cantabrians and Asturians. Dio Cassius (54.11.5) saysthat one legion was stripped of its title, Augusta, after suffering reverses inthat campaign. The two references are believed to be to the same legion,accounting for its early missing title and emblem.

Mutiny on the Limes Germanicus :

After thedefeat of Varus, Augustus\' adoptive son Tiberius (brother of Drusus) assumedcommand of the army on the Rhine, which was reinforced to eight legions. WhenTiberius returned to Italy in 13 AD, Augustus appointed Drusus\' son,Germanicus, commander of the eight legions on the Rhine. In the following yearAugustus died, Tiberius being his successor.

SubsequentlyJunius Blaesus, commander of three legions in summer camp in Pannonia, gave themen a holiday. A soldier who had been a claqueur, Percennius, addressed the menon that occasion on the subject of soldier\'s rights. They needed a fixedcontract, he said, a term of service of 16 seasons instead of 25 or 30, and apay raise. The speech was far from comic. The men as he spoke began raise adais of earth around him and brought the standards and that attracted theattention of the Praetor, Blaesus. Unable to dissuade the men, he agreed tosend his son, a tribune, to Tiberius with the demands. The men settled down toawait the reply.

Word ofthe mutiny spread to construction crews of the legions in nearby Nauportus.Arresting their commander, Aufidienus Rufus, they forced him to march at thehead of the return column carrying heavy baggage and asking him all the whilehow he liked it. They plundered vici as they went. Arriving in camp they raiseda riot. Attempting to quell it, Blaesus had loyal troops throw the rioters inthe guardhouse, but they were set free, the tribunes were ejected from camp,and a harsh centurion murdered.

Thesoldiers were on the point of killing each other when Tiberius\' own son, JuliusCaesar Drusus arrived in camp with some troops, sealed the gates and proceededto investigate and settle the mutiny in tribunal. The men rejecting hisproposals, he sent them to their tents and sent men to speak to thempersonally. Gradually the men were recalled to duty. Drusus had the leadersexecuted and returned to Rome. No action yet was taken on the issues.

The XXIRapax, V Alaudae, I Germanica and XX Valeria Victrix of the army of GermaniaInferior heard of the mutiny at their summer camp among the Ubii. Aroused bynew recruits from the city of Rome, the men attacked the centurions bysurprise, beating many to death and throwing the bodies into the Rhine. Themain command was isolated and the men ran the camp. Hearing of the mutiny,Germanicus left his tax-collecting duties in Gaul and hastened to the camp witha small retinue. He was just as popular as his father had been.

Aftermingling with the men and hearing their complaints, Germanicus persuaded theminto formation, had the standards brought out and began a dialogue with them.At one point they bared their backs to show Germanicus the scars from lashing.At another Germanicus drew his sword and offered to commit suicide, but wasrestrained. Another soldier offered him a sharper sword. He withdrew to histent.

There hereceived word that the mutiny was about to become a state issue. Mutinousenvoys were being sent to Cologne, there were plans to burn the city and sackGaul. The enemy on the other side of the border was watching with interest,waiting to intervene. In realization of the common danger the men settled forimmunity, double pay (which Germanicus gladly paid from his own funds on thespot) and an enlistment of sixteen years. I Germanica and the XX ValeriaVictrix retired to Cologne, while Germanicus went to seek senatorialconfirmation and approval by Tiberius.

Germanicusreturned to Cologne with envoys from the Senate, arriving at night, which wasmisinterpreted by the men as signifying the agreement was off. They draggedGermanicus from his bed, but the matter was clarified next day. Upset,Germanicus tried to send his pregnant wife and young son off to safety, but thesoldiers heard them weeping and came out to detain them. Aroused, Germanicusdelivered one of the great orations in history, upholding the tradition of hisfamily\'s ability in that area, saying, for example:

\"Forwhat have you not dared, what have you not profaned during these days? Whatname shall I give to this gathering? Am I to call you soldiers ... when youhave trampled under foot the Authority of the Senate? ...\" (Annales 1.46from the Perseus site)

Moved andstung to the quick, the soldiers settled the mutiny on the spot by generalcourt martial conducted by the tribunes. The leaders were put in chains andbrought to the dais, where they went before the troops one by one. The soldiersvoted for guilt or innocence by voice. The guilty were thrown off the dais tobe executed by the men. Each centurion then passed before the tribunal to beapproved or disapproved. The approved kept their rank. The disapproved weredischarged from the service. The terms of the agreement were faithfully kept.Germanicus returned to Rome.

IGermanica went back to duty, but not exactly with honor. It remained inGermania Inferior fighting in all the major campaigns along the Rhine and theDanube.

This ring was probably owned by Roman CENTURION of the legion (thecommander of a century in the ancient Roman army) !!!True historical masterpiece - Museum quality !!!

I do not cleaned no restoration not repaired orrenovated this item - to preserve the unique authentic antique ancientcondition.

Outstanding dark patina.On the detailed pictures, the buyer can seethe condition of this item, good condition – strong! Beautiful uniquevery nice old patina!!! Afascinating and rare ancientRomanpiece from a fine collection.

Please note: This is a rare, genuineancient Roman artifact. This piece is offered for sale to promote our extensiveinventory of antiquities and ancient artifacts and coins.

This is the most amazing ancient Roman silver ring that I have ever seen.

This ancientitem will make a welcome addition to your collection.

ATTENTION : Dear Customers, you will receive exactly the same itemwhich you see on the pictures, not similar or other. Please read thedescription carefully and review the photos. All items, which I sell, arecaptured with high - photographic equipment and the photos, which I insert inmy sales, are with high resolution. The photos are absolutely clear and thepotential buyer can truly identify the item, which purchased. Photos are notfurther processed by specialized software!Upon purchase my item, you willreceive exactly the same item which you saw on the photo !!! Please if you arenot sure you want purchase the item not offer and not make offers in my sales -the pictures are CLEAR with opportunities ZOOM for expansion sothat you can perfectly identify all the details of item !!!!!!!!

SHIPPING :If youpurchase several items I will docombinedshipping- and willmakediscountfor anexpense of shipping !!! We ship this Item from Bulgaria viaUSPS service 5-19workingdaysWorld-Wide delivery, item will becarefully packaged, with number for tracking consignment !!!

Thanks and have a nice day. Good luck and happy offerding