03 Augustus' 3rd Legion - Roman Capricorn T-Shirt

This Legion was most likely formed by Octavian (the later-Emperor Augustus) and the Consul Pansa in 43 BC, and it's probable that it fought at Philippi against Caesar's murderers and afterwards against the rebel pirate Sextus Pompeius. However, it's certain that from 30 BC on, the Legion was permanently stationed in various locations in Africa. In 17-24 AD it fought against and eventually defeated an anti-Roman coalition led by Tacfarinas. Aside from aiding in Marcus Aurelius' Marcomannic Campaign in 175, the Legion was afterwards stationed in Numidia for the most of the next two centuries, guarding the Empire against Berber tribes. In 193 the Emperor Lucius Severus awarded the Legion the title Pia Vindex (Faithful Avenger), but it's not entirely sure why. In 238 AD, the Legion supressed the rebellions of Gordian I and Gordian II, who'd become Emperors, but when Gordian III's revolt was successful and he became Emperor, he disbanded the Legion. In 253, Emperor Valerian re-formed the Legion, titling it Iterum Pia Iterum Vindex (Again Faithful, Again Avenger). It then fought a long war against dangerous Berber tribes. The Legion was last mentioned during the late 4th or early 5th century, although its location then is not known. Its emblem was the Capricorn.