Legio I Macriana Liberatrix

Legio I Macriana Liberatrix: one of the Roman legions. Its name means "Macer's liberator".

This Roman legion was recruited in 68 CE by Lucius Clodius Macer, the governor of Africa, who wanted to use it, together with III Augusta, in the struggle against the emperor Nero (r.54-68). After his suicide, the new emperor Galba distrusted Macer and ordered the procurator Trebonius Garutianus to kill the commander of the two legions - which he did. The new army unit was disbanded before it had seen action.

It is possible that Vitellius, who succeeded Galba in 69, briefly recreated the legion. However, his death and the accession of Vespasian meant the end of the attempt to build a second legion in Africa.

Literature

Article by Emil Ritterling.
A. Chausa, "Legio I Macriana", in: Yann Le Bohec, Les légions de Rome sous le Haut-Empire (2000 Lyon) 369-371