Caesar's Legion is an autocratic, traditionalist, reactionary slaver society, and a totalitarian dictatorship. Founded in 2247 by Edward Sallow (also known as Caesar) and Joshua Graham, it is based on the ancient Roman Empire. Its legionaries are a well organized, culturally insular fighting force that mainly operate east of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon, in the former state of Arizona. Ever pushing west, their capital is the city of Flagstaff.
Caesar's Legion is comprised mostly of reconditioned tribes and their descendants. The Legion's symbol is a golden bull on a red field, which is derived from Julius Caesar's standard for the Tenth
Twin Legion.
In the year 2246, the Followers of the Apocalypse sent a group of nine members to the Arizona wastelands to study the region's tribal languages. The group included Follower Edward Sallow, who met with the New Canaanite missionary Joshua Graham, a specialist in tribal dialects. Not long into their travels, the group was captured by the Blackfoot tribe and held for ransom.
At the time, the tribe warred against seven other tribes, and suffered from a lack of skill in warfare. Against his companion's wishes, Sallow aided the Blackfoots to save him and his companions from their captor's enemies, giving them knowledge in gun maintenance, small unit tactics, explosive improvisation, and military strategy. The tribals admired Sallow so much that they made him their leader. With that, Sallow took the name Caesar, and began reorganizing the tribals he commanded into the Legion.
Caesar established warfare policies in the Legion based on the concepts of divide and conquer and total war. The Legion defeated the region's seven tribes from weakest to strongest, and completely dominated each faction's land and people. The people conquered in campaigns were conscripted, enslaved, or killed. Caesar saw the tribes "playing at war," and tribals viewed his tactics as foreign, as their warfare consisted of skirmishes that never escalated into major conflicts.
With the combined leadership of Caesar and Graham, declared the "Malpais Legate," the Legion led campaigns against more tribes, forming a fanatically loyal army with their captives. Eighty-six tribes had been conquered by the year 2271, and the territory Caesar led formed the most powerful society east of the Colorado River. The Legion expanded west into the Mojave, and established Fortification Hillon the Colorado River in 2277. The advancing forces eventually made contact with the NCR near New Vegas, and began a campaign to take the region.
Under the command of the Malpais Legate, Legion forces marched against the New California Republic garrison at Hoover Dam, in an attempt to take the strategic asset and river crossing. In what became known as the First Battle of Hoover Dam, the Malpais Legate initially had the upper hand. The Legate was able to push the NCR defenders back and lead his forces over the dam. Lead elements of the NCR, including members of the 1st Recon Battalion and NCR Rangers, executed a tactical retreat west across the dam and into Boulder City, all the while using their marksmanship prowess to kill the Legion officers (primarily centurions and decanii). The Legate, unable to adapt his strategies in combat or see the deception unfolding in front of him, chose to order his legionaries to push the rangers, not knowing the NCR had booby-trapped Boulder City, packing C4 along their line of retreat and within the city itself, and drawing the Legion into a trap. When the Legion forces entered the city, the NCR detonated the explosives and inflicted severe casualties amongst them, crippling their offensive. The NCR forces then counter-attacked, pushing back and eventually routing the Legion forces who fled east back over the dam. Caesar, angered at the failure of his Legate, made an example of him. The Praetorian guard covered the Legate in pitch, set him on fire, and cast him into the depths of the Grand Canyon. Caesar forbade mention of his name, and now he is spoken of only in hushed whispers by the lowest Legionaries and slaves; they call him the Burned Man.
By 2281, Caesar's Legion has re-established its power in the west, rebuilt its army, and has slowly encroached on the city of New Vegas. They continue to contest NCR over all of the region, destroying several NCR bases such as Ranger Station Charlie and Camp Searchlight, overrunning the NCR town of Nelson, and creating unease and terror across the region. Sometime before the Second Battle of Hoover Dam, the Caesar's Legion has conquered a new tribe under the command of centurion Gaius Magnus, bringing the number to eighty-seven.
Caesar's Legion is a massive army inspired by the stories of imperial Rome's might. Though the bulk of Caesar's soldiers have only improvised weapons to fight an enemy armed with modern rifles, their discipline, ferocity, and sheer numbers dampens the impact of the NCR's technological advantage. Combined with their skill in infiltration and sabotage, the warriors of Caesar's Legion have managed to score important victories against the NCR in the Mojave Wasteland and maintain a powerful presence as the most feared faction in the Mojave Wasteland and Northern Texas.
Legion divisions
The legionaries can be divided according to experience as such:
Recruit legionary
Recruits are freshly trained legionaries who are given only basic equipment. They are the most common type of legionaries and are forced to take the brunt of any blow from the enemy. They are mostly used for patrolling legion territory or to conduct small to medium scale raids.
Prime legionary
Prime legionaries are better equipped than recruits. They also have the benefit of greater experience and training than the standard legionaries. In short, the prime legionaries are a full step above Caesar's recruits.
Veteran legionary
Veteran legionaries are not only the best equipped amongst the standard legionaries, they are also the most experienced as well. They are typically held in reserve until the recruit and the prime legionaries are defeated.
Legionary decanus
Legionaries are given the position of decanus when they display leadership potential consistently in battle. A legionary decanus has the authority to run small camps as well as act as a deputy for the local centurion. Seniority determines the quality of the decanus' armor; a standard decanus will only have the recruit's armor whereas a seasoned decanus will be given a veteran legionary's armor. They are easily distinguished by their helmets, which are adorned with multiple feathers.
Centurion
Centurions serve as field commanders during major operations. They are often appointed to their position through years of dedicated service and their martial prowess reflects the rigors they have endured. They are clad in heavy armor cobbled together from their fallen foes and use various weapons to great effect. However, they are generally kept away from danger due to the strategic value of each centurion. Outside of battle, centurions act as administrators of Legion camps with the assistance of the decanus.
Legate
The legate is the commander of the legionaries and is subservient to none but Caesar. The position of legate is only given to individuals who demonstrate unshakable loyalty, leadership skills, and unrestrained ferocity. Consequently, the legate is feared by Caesar's foes, as he is essentially the face of the Legion. Joshua Graham was the first legate but was executed for his defeat at Hoover Dam. Lanius was appointed as Joshua's successor.
Some legionaries are given different assignments such as reconnaissance, assassination, and scouting duties:
Legionary scout
The legionary scout is trained in the arts of reconnaissance. These legionaries are equipped with hunting riflesand lighter versions of the standard recruit armor. They are often accompanied by Legion mongrels as support.
Explorer legionary
The explorer legionary is a veteran scout legionary. They are not intended for combat and will thus carry only basic weaponry. They serve as scouts, messengers, and sentries in various Legion camps.
Legionary assassin
The Legionary assassin is a specially trained legionary, sent after Caesar's most hated enemies. They are extremely dangerous due to the fact that they travel in packs and utilize powerful firearms and melee weapons. Legionary assassins are typically led into battle by a vexillarius. Though when encountering Legionary assassins, they may have Praetorian guards in the group and they may unusually use fire arms as well as their ballistic fists.
Other positions
Frumentarii - The eyes and ears of Caesar, the Frumentarii serve as spies, saboteurs, and assassins. They operate separately from the main Legion forces and are hand picked by Caesar himself. In 2281, the leader of this unit is Vulpes Inculta.
Houndmasters-the remnants of the Hangdogs tribes a tribe Assimilated by the legion. After they were integrated in the Legion, Caesar, seeing how useful the Hangdogs' talent were in taming dogs, made the male members of the tribe Houndmasters of the Legion, and Caesar also made the Houndmasters begin training and taming the Legion mongrels. its unclear where they fall with in the military hierarchy as they are not seen in battle.
Vexillarius - A soldier chosen as a vexillarius is a standard bearer that carries the Vexillum, a military standard displaying the emblem of the Legion. The vexillarii provide troops with a rallying point and morale during heated exchanges, but rarely are seen in combat. These soldiers are given luxuries including firearms, superior armor, and distinctive helmets in comparison to the standard legionary.
Praetorian - They are soldiers or officers with the potential to become centurions but operate as members of Caesar's security detail. Prospective praetorians must challenge the praetorian they think is the weakest. The two men will then fight to the death in hand-to-hand combat for the title of praetorian. The praetorians are proficient in unarmed combat and augment their innate fighting abilities with lethal ballistic fists. Some praetorians may accompany Legionary assassins, and will sometimes unusually equip fire arms (See above). In 2281, the leader of this section is Lucius, who is the third most powerful man in the Legion. The leader of the Praetorian guard will also temporarily become the leader of the Legion should Caesar become unable to give orders. He will remain in this position until Caesar is able to lead again.
Blacksmith - The blacksmiths are responsible for the maintenance of the Legion's weapons and armor. While their role in the Legion does not involve direct combat, they are well-armored and skilled with handling chainsaws, which serve as their tools and weapons. These men are generally found in legion camps.
Legionary Instructor - The legionary instructor is responsible for the training of future legionaries. They are trusted with turning boys into potent warriors and thus are encouraged to subject their charges to rigorous training. They frequently threaten to kill their students should they not give full attention to improving their skills.
Speculatores - Though there is nothing known about this group of the Legion, they are featured in the collector's deck that came with the Fallout: New Vegas collector's edition. They are the 8 of clubs, and the card features a sword in the ground and a quote about Mars, making them undeniably Legion. They are also mentioned in the quest Oh My Papa by Melissa. She is told she could become one by a Frumentarii agent named Karl. However, it is apparent that Karl is lying to Melissa given the fact that the legion does not allow women to serve. Ancient Roman Speculatores filled scouting roles.
