Cassius Scaevus

Cassius Scaeva was a centurion in Caesar's 6th legion. Scaeva fought in the Battle of Dyrrhachium (48 BC) where he would gain the praise of Caesar after his actions in combat.

Battle of Dyrrhacium On the 10th of April, Mark Antony was able to unite his forces with the rest of Caesar's army. Mark Antony brought with him, 4 legions and 800 Cavalry, arriving near Lissus, to stand with Caesar against Pompey. Following the arrows, 4 legions were sent into the section Scaeva and the 8th cohort were defending. Unwilling to surrender despite their injuries, they held the fort against the 4 Pompeian legions. Sources claim that Scaeva had been hit in the eye and thigh with arrows and kept fighting, even pretending to surrender to Pompeian forces, only to kill two of them. Caesar attributes this victory largely to Scaeva and his determination in battle.

To thank Scaeva for his actions, Caesar rewarded him with a prize of 200,000 sesterces and gave him a promotion from a Centurion of the 6th legion to the Chief Centurion of the legion, primus pilus. Caesar also rewarded the 8th cohort led by Scaeva by granting them double pay, grain, clothing, and military honors.

Later years This was not the last time Scaeva served Caesar, having become an equestrian and leading a cavalry unit for Caesar, the unit named after Scaeva himself, the ala Scaevea.