LIST OF ROMAN LEGIONS

This is a 'list of Roman legions', including key facts about each legion.
This article primarily focuses on Principate (early Empire, 30BC - 284AD) legions, for which we have substantial literary, epigraphic and archaeological evidence.
Until the first century BC, Republican legions were temporary citizen levies, raised for specific campaigns and disbanded
after them. By the early first century BC, legions were mixed volunteer/conscript units. Legions became standing units, which could remain intact long after a particular campaign was finished. Large numbers of new legions were raised by rival warlords for the civil wars of the period 49-30 BC.
However, when Augustus became sole ruler in 30 BC, he disbanded about half the over 50 legions then in existence. The remaining 28 legions became the core of the early Imperial army, most lasting over three centuries. Augustus and his immediate successors transformed legions into permanent units, staffed by entirely career soldiers on standard 25-year terms.
Dominate (late Empire, 284 - 476) legions were also professional, but are little understood due to scarcer evidence than for the Principate. What is clear is that late legions were radically different in size, structure and tactical role from their predecessors, despite several retaining early period names. This was the result of the military reforms of Emperors Diocletian and Constantine I, and of further developments during the fourth century.
Section 2 (Early Empire Legions) contains a directory of all legions which displays on a single table each legion's basic curriculum vitae: legion number and title (with link to specific wikipedia article), emblem, date founded, date dissolved, and geographical deployment at six key dates over the three centuries of the Principate. Notes from the directory give a translation of the legion's title(s) and additional details such as legionary bases, dates of deployment and other points of note. A second table re-arranges geographical deployment by province, enabling the reader to see legions deployed in the region of the reader's interest at the six key dates.

Contents

Late Republican legions

Early Empire legions

Late Empire Legions

See also

References

Primary sources

Secondary sources

Notes

External links

Late Republican legions

Until the Marian reforms of 107 BC, the Republican legions were formed by compulsory levy of Roman citizens (who met a minimum property qualification) and raised whenever it was necessary. Usually they were authorised by the Roman Senate, and were later disbanded.
Marius' reforms transformed legions into standing units, which could remain in being for several years, or even decades. This became necessary to garrison the Republic's now far-flung territories. Legionaries started large-scale recruiting of volunteer soldiers enlisted for a minimum term of six years and a fixed salary, although conscription was still practised. The property requirements, already much reduced, seem to have been abolished by Marius, so that the bulk of recruits were henceforth from the landless proletariat, who would be most attracted to the paid employment offered by the legions.
In the last century of the Republic, proconsuls governing frontier provinces became increasingly powerful. Their command of standing legions in distant and arduous military campaigns resulted in the allegiance of those units transferring from the Roman state to themselves. These ''imperatores'' (lit: victorious generals, from the title imperator they were hailed with by their troops) frequently fell out with each other and started civil wars to seize control of the state. e.g. Sulla, Caesar, Pompey, Crassus, Mark Antony and Octavian (later Augustus, the first Emperor himself. In this context, the ''imperatores'' raised many legions that were not authorised by the Senate, sometimes having to use their own resources (generally extorted from the provinces they controlled). As civil wars were resolved, many of these "private" units would be disbanded, only for more to be raised to fight the next civil war. By the time Augustus emerged as sole ruler in 30BC, over 50 legions were in existence, many of which were disbanded.
The legions included in the following list had a long enough history to be somehow remarkable. Most of them were levied by Julius Caesar and later included into Octavian's army, some of them levied by Mark Antony.

★ Legio I ''Germanica'' (''Germanic''): 48 BC–70 (Batavian rebellion), Julius Caesar

★ Legio II ''Sabina'' (''Sabine''): 43 BC to circa 9 AD, early name of the Legio II ''Augusta''

★ Legio III ''Cyrenaica'' (''from Cyrenaica''): probably around 36 BC to (at least) 5th century, Mark Antony

★ Legio III ''Gallica'' (''from Gallia''): around 49 BC to at least early 4th century, Julius Caesar (emblem: bull)

★ Legio IV ''Macedonica'' (''Macedonian''): 48 BC–70 (disbanded by Vespasian), Julius Caesar (emblem: bull, capricorn)

★ Legio IV ''Scythica'' (''from Scythia''): around 42 BC to at least early 5th century, Mark Antony (emblem: capricorn)

★ Legio V ''Alaudae'' (''Larks''): 52 BC–70 (destroyed in the Batavian rebellion), Julius Caesar (emblem: elephant)

★ Legio VI ''Ferrata'' (''Ironclad''): 52 BC to after 250, Julius Caesar (emblem: bull, wolf and Romulus and Remus)

★ Legio VII: 51–44 BC, disbanded and re-enlisted by Augustus as Legio VII ''Paterna''

★ Legio VIII: 59–48 BC, Julius Caesar, disbanded and re-enlisted by Augustus as Legio VIII ''Augusta''

★ Legio IX ''Triumphalis'' (''Triumphant''): 59–48 BC, Julius Caesar, disbanded and re-enlisted by Augustus as Legio IX ''Hispana''

★ Legio X, also known as X ''Equestris'' (''mounted''): before 58–45 BC, Julius Caesar, disbanded, reconstituted by Lepidus, incorporated into the Legio X ''Gemina'' by Augustus.

★
★ Legio X ''Veneria'' (devoted to the goddess ''Venus''): another name of X ''Equestris''.

★ Legio XI: 58–45 BC, Julius Caesar (emblem: Neptune), disbanded, reconstituted by Augustus as Legio XI ''Claudia''

★ Legio XII ''Victrix'' (''Victorious''): 57 BC–45, Julius Caesar

★
★ Legio XII ''Antiqua'' (''Ancient''): reconstituted by Lepidus in 43 BC, named by Mark Anthony, included in Augustus army as Legio XII ''Fulminata''

★ Legio XIII: 57–45 BC: Julius Caesar, later (41 BC) reconstituted as Legio XIII ''Gemina'' by Augustus

★ Legio XVIII ''Libyca'' (''from Libya''): disbanded 31 BC, Mark Antony

★ Legio XXX ''Classica'' (''Naval''): 48–41 BC, Julius Caesar

Early Empire legions

'DIRECTORY OF ROMAN LEGIONS OF THE EARLY EMPIRE (units founded between 59BC and 250AD)'

'Legion number & title'	'Main legionary base'	'Emblem'	'Date founded/founder'	'Date dissolved'	'30 BC: Augustus'	'14 AD:'End 'Augustus'	'67 AD:'End 'J-Claudians'	'96 AD:'End 'Flavians'	'212 AD:'End 'S. Severus'	'284 AD:'End 'Principate'
Legio I Adiutrix[1]	Szöny, Hungary	Capricorn[2]	68 Nero	post 444	X	X	X	Pannonia	Pannonia	Pannonia
Legio I Germanica[3]	Cologne, Germany	Bull	48BC Caesar	70 'DD'[4]	Hispania	Germ Inf	Germ Inf	X	X	X
Legio I Italica[5]	Svishtov, Bulgaria	Boar	66 Nero	post 400	X	X	Gallia Lug	Moesia Inf	Moesia Inf	Moesia Inf
Legio I Macriana liberatrix			68	69 'DD'[6]	X	X	X	X	X	X
Legio I Minervia[7]	Bonn, Germany	Minerva	82 Domitian	post 300	X	X	X	Germ Inf	Germ Inf	Germ Inf
Legio I Parthica[8]	Sinjar, Iraq	Centaur	197 S. Severus	post 500	X	X	X	X	Syria	Syria
Legio II Adiutrix[9]	Budapest, Hungary	Capricorn	70 Vespasian	post 269 'UF'[10]	X	X	X	Moesia Sup	Pannonia	X?
Legio II Augusta[11]	Caerleon, Wales	Capricorn	pre 9 Augustus	post 300	Hispania	Germ Sup	Britannia	Britannia	Britannia	Britannia
Legio II Italica[12]	Lorch, Austria	She-Wolf[13]	165 Marcus Aurelius	post 400	X	X	X	X	Noricum	Noricum
Legio II Parthica[14]	Albano Laziale, Italy	Centaur	197 S. Severus	post 350	X	X	X	X	Italia	Italia
Legio II Traiana Fortis[15]	Alexandria, Egypt	Hercules	105 Trajan	post 400	X	X	X	X	Aegyptus	Aegyptus
Legio III Augusta[16]	Batna, Algeria	Pegasus	43 BC Augustus	post 350	Africa Pro	Africa Pro	Mauretania	Mauretania	Mauretania	Mauretania
Legio III Cyrenaica[17]	Busra, Syria		36 BC Mark Antony	post 400	Aegyptus	Aegyptus	Aegyptus	Aegyptus	Arabia Pet	Arabia Pet
Legio III Gallica[18]	Abila, Jordan	Two Bulls	49BC Caesar	post 300	Syria	Syria	Syria	Syria	Syria	Syria
Legio III Italica[19]	Regensburg, Ger	Stork	165 Marcus Aurelius	post 300	X	X	X	X	Raetia	Raetia
Legio III Parthica[20]	Ras-al-Ayn, Syria	Bull	197 S. Severus	post 400	X	X	X	X	Syria	Syria
'Legion number & title'	'Main' 'legionary base'	'Emblem'	'Date' 'founded/founder'	'Date' 'dissolved'	'30 BC' 'Augustus'	'14 AD' End 'Augustus'	'67 AD' End 'J-Claudians'	'96 AD' End 'Flavians'	'212 AD' End 'S. Severus'	'284 AD' End 'Principate'
Legio IV Macedonica[21]	Mainz, Germany	Bull[22]	48BC Caesar	70 'DD'[23]	Hispania	Hispania	Germ Sup	X	X	X
Legio IV Flavia Felix[24]	Belgrade, Serbia	Lion	70 Vespasian	pre 400	X	X	X	Moesia Sup	Moesia Sup	Moesia Sup
Legio IV Scythica[25]	nr. Gaziantep, Turkey	Capricorn	42BC Mark Antony	post 400	Dalmatia	Moesia Sup	Cappadocia	Cappadocia	Cappadocia	Cappadocia
Legio V Alaudae[26]	Xanten, Germany	Elephant	52BC Caesar	70 'XX'[27]	Hispania	Germ Inf	Germ Inf	X	X	X
Legio V Macedonica[28]	Turda, Romania	Bull	43 BC Augustus	post 400	Macedonia	Moesia Inf	Moesia Inf	Moesia Inf	Dacia	Moesia Inf
Legio VI Ferrata[29]	Galilee, Israel	She-Wolf[30]	52BC Caesar	post 250 'UF'[31]	Syria	Syria	Syria	Cappadocia	Judaea	X?
Legio VI Hispana[32]			post 212	post 250 'UF'[33]	X	X	X	X	X?	X
Legio VI Victrix[34]	York, England	Bull	41BC Augustus	pre 400	Hispania	Hispania	Hispania	Germ Inf	Britannia	Britannia
Legio VII Claudia[35]	Kostolac, Serbia	Bull	58BC Caesar	c.400	Galatia	Dalmatia	Moesia Sup	Moesia Sup	Moesia Sup	Moesia Sup
Legio VII Gemina[36]	León, Spain		68 Galba	c.400	X	X	X	Hispania	Hispania	Hispania
Legio VIII Augusta[37]	Strasbourg, France	Bull	59BC Caesar	post 371	Africa Pro	Pannonia	Moesia Inf	Germ Sup	Germ Sup	Germ Sup
Legio IX Hispana[38]	York, England	Bull	41BC Augustus	post 120 'UF'[39]	Hispania	Pannonia	Britannia	Britannia	X	X
Legio X Fretensis[40]	Jerusalem	Boar[41]	40BC Augustus	post 400	Judaea	Syria	Judaea	Judaea	Judaea	Judaea
Legio X Gemina[42]	Vienna, Austria	Bull	58BC Lepidus	post 400	Hispania	Hispania	Hispania	Germ Inf	Pannonia	Pannonia
Legio XI Claudia[43]	Silistra, Bulgaria	Neptune	42BC Augustus	post 400	Dalmatia	Dalmatia	Dalmatia	Germ Sup	Moesia Inf	Moesia Inf
Legio XII Fulminata[44]	Malatya, Turkey	Thunderbolt	43BC Lepidus	post 400	Aegyptus	Syria	Syria	Cappadocia	Cappadocia	Cappadocia
'Legion number & title'	'Main' 'legionary base'	'Emblem'	'Date' 'founded/founder'	'Date' 'dissolved'	'30 BC' 'Augustus'	'14 AD' End 'Augustus'	'67 AD' End 'J-Claudians'	'96 AD' End 'Flavians'	'212 AD' End 'S. Severus'	'284 AD' End 'Principate'
Legio XIII Gemina[45]	Alba Iulia, Romania	Lion	41BC Augustus	post 400	Dalmatia	Germ Sup	Pannonia	Pannonia	Dacia	Moesia Inf
Legio XIV Gemina[46]	Petronell, Austria	Capricorn	41BC Augustus	post 400	Dalmatia	Germ Sup	Britannia	Germ Sup	Noricum	Noricum
Legio XV Apollinaris[47]	Saddagh, Turkey	Apollo[48]	41BC Augustus	post 400	Dalmatia	Noricum	Syria	Noricum	Cappadocia	Cappadocia
Legio XV Primigenia[49]	Neuss, Germany	Fortuna	39 Caligula	70 'XX'[50]	X	X	Germ Inf	X	X	X
Legio XVI Gallica[51]	Mainz, Germany	Lion	41BC Augustus	70 'DD'[52]	Germ Sup	Germ Sup	Germ Inf	X	X	X
Legio XVI Flavia Firma[53]	Samsat, Turkey	Lion	70 Vespasian	post 300	X	X	X	Cappadocia	Cappadocia	Cappadocia
Legio XVII[54]	Xanten, Germany		41BC Augustus	9 'XX'[55]	Aquitania?	X	X	X	X	X
Legio XVIII[56]	Xanten, Germany		41BC Augustus	9 'XX'[57]	Aquitania?	X	X	X	X	X
Legio XIX[58]			41BC Augustus	9 'XX'[59]	Gallia?	X	X	X	X	X
Legio XX Valeria Victrix[60]	Chester, England	Boar	31 BC Augustus	post 250 'UF'[61]	Hispania	Germ Inf	Britannia	Britannia	Britannia	Britannia
Legio XXI Rapax[62]	Vienna, Austria	Capricorn	31BC Augustus	92 'XX'[63]	Hispania	Germ Inf	Raetia	X	X	X
Legio XXII Deiotariana[64]	Alexandria, Egypt		48BC	132 'XX'[65]	Galatia	Aegyptus	Aegyptus	Aegyptus	X	X
Legio XXII Primigenia[66]	Mainz, Germany	Hercules	39 Caligula	post 200	X	X	Germ Sup	Germ Sup	Germ Sup	Germ Sup
Legio XXX Ulpia Victrix[67]	Xanten, Germany	Jupiter	105 Trajan	post 400	X	X	X	X	Germ Inf	Germ Inf

;Table notes

'Legion number & title'

For the Latin pronunciation of the number and title, plus translation, see Note on each legion. Latin pronunciation stress is shown by an accent when irregular (i.e. not on the penultimate syllable): note that accents are not normally used in written Latin and are added here only to assist the reader.
The numbering of the legions is confusing. Several legions shared the same number with others. Augustus numbered the legions he founded himself from I, but also inherited numbers from his predecessors. Each Emperor normally numbered the legions he raised himself starting from I . However, even this practice was not consistently followed e.g. Vespasian kept the same numbers as before for legions he raised from disbanded units; Trajan's first legion was numbered XXX because there were 29 other legions in existence at the time it was raised. XVII, XVIII and XIX, the numbers of the legions annihilated in the Teutoberg Forest, were never used again. As a result of this somewhat chaotic evolution, the legion's title became necessary to distinguish between legions with the same number.
Legions often carried several titles, awarded after successive campaigns, normally by the ruling Emperor e.g. XII Fulminata was also awarded: ''paterna'' (fatherly), ''victrix'' (victorious), ''antiqua'' (venerable), ''certa constans'' (reliable, steadfast) and ''Galliena'' (Gallienus '). ''Pia fidelis'' (dutiful, loyal), ''fidelis constans'' and others were titles awarded to several legions, sometimes several times to the same legion. Only the most established, commonly used titles are displayed on this table.
The geographical titles indicate

(a) the country a legion was originally recruited e.g. ''Italica'' = from Italy or

(b) peoples the legion has vanquished e.g.''Parthica'' = victorious over the Parthians

Legions bearing the personal name of an Emperor, or of his ''gens'' (clan) (e.g. ''Augusta'', ''Flavia'') were either founded by that Emperor or awarded the name as a mark of special favour.

The title GEMINA probably means the legion is twinned with another. Alternatively, it may mean the legion is dedicated to the ''Gemini'' (Twins) Romulus and Remus, legendary founders of Rome
'Main legionary base'

This shows the ''castra'' (base) where the legion spent the longest period during the Principate. See note on each legion for the Roman names of the bases, plus dates and names of all bases used. Legions often shared the same base with other legions. Detachments of legions were often seconded for lengthy periods to other bases and provinces, as operational needs demanded.
'Emblem'

Legions often sported more than one emblem at the same time, and occasionally changed them. Legions raised by Caesar mostly carried a bull emblem originally; those of Augustus mostly a Capricorn

'Date dissolved'

For legions that are documented into the fourth century and beyond, we do not know when or how they were terminated. For legions disappearing from the record before 284, the reason (certain or likely) is given as:

'XX' = annihilated in battle

'DD' = disbanded in disgrace

'UF' = unknown fate

'Location'

Indicates the Roman province where the legion's base (''castra'') was at each date. X = legion not in existence at that date. See Notes for details of ''castra'' and length of postings.
Province names and borders are assumed throughout the Principate period as at 107 AD , during the rule of Trajan, and after the annexation of Dacia and Arabia Petraea. The map above shows provinces at the end of Trajan's reign, 117 AD. They are the same as in 107, except that Armenia and Mesopotamia have been annexed (they were abandoned soon after Trajan's death); and Pannonia has been split into two (the split occurred c107). In reality provincial borders were modified several times during the period 30 BC-284 AD: this explains any discrepancy with other sources, as to a legion's location at a particular date

'EARLY EMPIRE LEGIONS: GEOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY OF DEPLOYMENTS (30BC - 284AD)'

'Roman Province'	'Modern equivalent' (approx.)	'30 BC Start Augustus '	'14 AD End Augustus'	'67 AD E Julio-Claudians'	'96 AD End Flavians'	'212 AD End S. Severus'	'284 AD End Principate'
'Britannia'	England/Wales	XRE	XRE (annexed 43AD)	'4' IIag IXh XIVg XXvv	'3' IIag IXh XXvv	'3' IIag VIv XXvv	'3' IIag VIv XXvv
'Rhine Frontier'
Germania Inferior	S Neth/W Nordrhein		4 Ig Va XXvv XXIr	4 Ig Va XVp XVIg	3 Im VIv Xg	2 Im XXXu	2 Im XXXu
Germania Superior	Rheinland-Pf/Alsace	1 XVIg	4 IIag XIIIg XIVg XVIg	2 IVm XXIIp	4 VIIIa XIc XIVg XXIIp	2 VIIIa XXIIp	2 VIIIa XXIIp
	'sub-total Rhine'	'1'	'8'	'6'	'7'	'4'	'4'
'Danube Frontier'
Raetia	S Ger/Switz/Tyrol	XRE (annexed 15BC)		1 XXIr		1 IIIi	1
Noricum	Austria	XRE (annexed 16BC)	1 XVa		1 XVa	2 IIi XIVg	2 IIi XIVg
Pannonia	W Hungary/Slovenia	XRE (annexed 9BC)	2 VIIIa IXh	1 XIIIg	2 Ia XIIIg	3 Ia IIad Xg	2 Ia Xg
Moesia Superior	Serbia S of Danube	XRE (annexed 6AD)	1 IVg	1 VIIc	3 IIad IVf VIIc	2 IVf VIIc	2 IVf VIIc
Moesia Inferior	Northern Bulgaria	1(a) Vm (annexed 6AD)	1 Vm	2 Vm VIIIa	2 Ii Vm	2 Ii XIc	4 Ii Vm XIc XIIIg
Dalmatia	Croatia/Bosnia	5 IVs XIc XIIIg XIVg XVa	2 VIIc XIc	1 XIc
Dacia	Romania	XRE	XRE	XRE	XRE (annexed 106)	2 Vm XIIIg	XRE (evacuated 275)
	'sub-total Danube'	'6'	'7'	'6'	'8'	'12'	'11'
XXXX
	'Modern equivalent'	'30 BC'	'14 AD'	'67 AD'	'96 AD'	'212 AD'	'284 AD'
'Eastern Frontier'
Galatia	Ankara prov Turkey	2(a) VIIc XXIId (annexed 25BC)
Cappadocia	Central Turkey	XRE	XRE (annexed 17AD)	1 IVs	4 IVs VIf XIIf XVIf	4 IVs XIIf XVa XVIf	4 IVs XIIf XVa XVIf
Syria	Syria/Lebanon	2 IIIg VIf	4 IIIg VIf Xf XIIf	4 IIIg VIf XIIf XVa	1 IIIg	3 Ip IIIg IIIp	3 Ip IIIg IIIp
Judaea	Palestine/Israel	1a Xf (annexed 6AD)		1 Xf	1 Xf	2 VIf Xf	1 Xf
Arabia Petraea	Jordan/Sinai	XRE	XRE	XRE	XRE (annexed 106)	1 IIIc	1 IIIc
	'sub-total East'	'5'	'4'	'6'	'6'	'10'	'9'
'African Frontier'
Aegyptus	Egypt minus Sinai	2(a) IIIc XIIf (annexed 30BC)	2 IIIc XXIId	2 IIIc XXIId	2 IIIc XXIId	1 IIt	1 IIt
Africa	Tunisia/Libya	2 IIIa VIIIa	1 IIIa
Mauretania	Algeria/Morocco	XRE	XRE (annexed 44AD)	1 IIIa	1 IIIa	1 IIIa	1 IIIa
	'sub-total Africa'	'4'	'3'	'3'	'3'	'2'	'2'
'Internal Provs'
Hispania T	Spain (most of)	9bIg IIag IVm Va VIv IXh Xg XXv XXIr	3 IVm VIv Xg	2 VIv Xg	1 VIIg	1 VIIg	1 VIIg
Gallia	France/Belgium	3 XVII XVIII XIX		1 Ii
Italia	Italy					1 IIp	1 IIp
	'sub-total Internal'	'12'	'3'	'3'	'1'	'2'	'2'
	'TOTAL EMPIRE'	'28'	'25'	'28'	'28'	'33'	'31'(c)

N.B.: Any discrepancy with other sources in figures given above for individual provinces may be due to changes in provincial borders. For the purposes of this table, provincial borders have been assumed the same throughout the period, as at 107 AD.
XRE = Outside Roman Empire

(a) = indicates territory was a Roman client state at the time

(b) = military build-up for Cantabrian Wars

(c) = In 284, there may have been up to seven additional legions in existence, all created in the final 14 years of the Principate (270-84): I Illyricorum, IV Martia, I Isaura Sagittorum, II Isaura, III Isaura, I Armeniaca, II Armeniaca. Our evidence for these is almost entirely limited to the ''Notitia Dignitatum'', a document drawn up in c400. We cannot be sure of their foundation date, and so these units have been excluded from the tabulation. In addition, a legion called VI Hispana is attested by a mid-3rd century inscription: as this is the only evidence for this unit, it is likely that its existence was a brief one in that period.

Late Empire Legions

Diocletian reorganized the Roman army, in order to better handle the menace of the barbarians from north Europe as well as that of the Persians from the East. The army was formed by ''border'' and ''field'' units.
The ''border'' (''limitanei'') units were to occupy the limes, the structured border fortifications, and were formed by professional soldiers with an inferior training.
The ''field'' units were to stay well behind the border, and to move quickly where they were needed, with both offensive and defensive roles. Field units were formed by elite soldiers with high-level training and weapons. They were further divided into:
# ''Scholae'' units: the personal guard of the Emperor, created to substitute the Praetorian Guard disbanded by Constantine I;
# ''Palatinae'' units: "palace" units were the highest ranked units;
# ''Comitatenses'' units: "line" or "regular" units, some of them were new legions, other were Early Empire legions;
# ''Pseudocomitatenses'' units: they were ''limitanei'' units diverted into the field army and often kept there; some Early Empire legions became ''pseudocomitatenses'' units.
Some of these units kept a numbering scheme. Primary source is the ''Notitia Dignitatum''

★ Legio I

★
★ I ''Armeniaca'' (''from Armenia''): ''pseudocomitatensis'' under ''Magister militum per Orientis'' command, fought under Julian the Apostate against the Persians

★
★ I ''Flavia Constantia'' (''reliable Flavian''): ''comitatensis'' unit under ''Magister militum per Orientis'' command

★
★ I ''Flavia Gallicana Constantia'' (''reliable Flavian legion from Gallia''): ''pseudocomitatensis'' under ''Magister Peditum per Gallias'' command

★
★ I ''Flavia Martis'' (''Flavian legion devoted to Mars''): ''pseudocomitatensis''

★
★ I ''Flavia Pacis'' (''Flavian legion of peace''): ''comitatensis'' under ''Magister Peditum''

★
★ I ''Flavia Theodosiana'': ''comitatensis''

★
★ I ''Illyricorum'' (''of the Illyrians''): stationed at Palmyra

★
★ I ''Iovia'' (''devoted to Jupiter''): levied by Diocletian, stationed in Scythia Minor

★
★ I ''Isaura Sagitaria'' (''archers from Isauria''): ''pseudocomitatensis'' under ''Magister militum per Orientis'' command

★
★ I ''Iulia Alpina'': ''pseudocomitatensis'' under ''Magister Peditum'' command in Italia

★
★ I ''Martia''

★
★ I ''Maximiana Thaebanorum'' (''the Thebans of Maximianus''): ''comitatensis'' unit stationed near Thebes, Egypt, and probably fighting in the battle of Adrianople

★
★ I ''Noricorum'' (''of the Noricans''): stationed in Noricum

★
★ I ''Pontica''

★ Legio II

★
★ II ''Armeniaca'': ''pseudocomitatensis''

★
★ II ''Britannica'': ''comitatensis'' under ''Magister Peditum''

★
★ II ''Flavia Constantia'': ''comitatensis'' under ''Magister Peditum''

★
★ II ''Flavia Virtutis'': ''comitatensis'' under ''Magister Peditum''

★
★ II ''Herculia'' (''devoted to Hercules''): levied by Diocletian, stationed in Scythia Minor

★
★ II ''Isaura''

★
★ II ''Iulia Alpina'': ''pseudocomitatensis'' under ''Magister Peditum'', in ''Comes Illyricum'' command

★
★ II ''Felix Valentis Thebaeorum'': ''comitatensis''

★ Legio III

★
★ III ''Diocletiana''

★
★ III ''Flavia Salutis'': ''comitatensis'' under ''Magister Peditum''

★
★ III ''Herculea'': ''comitatensis'' under ''Magister Peditum'', in ''Comes Illyricum'' command

★
★ III ''Isaura''

★
★ III ''Iulia Alpina'': ''comitatensis'' under ''Magister Peditum'' command in Italia

★ Legio IV

★
★ IV ''Italica''

★
★ IV ''Martia''

★
★ IV ''Parthica''

★ Legio V

★
★ V ''Iovia'' (maybe the ''Jovians'')

★
★ V ''Parthica''

★ Legio VI

★
★ VI ''Gemella''

★
★ VI ''Gallicana''

★
★ VI ''Herculia'' (maybe the Herculians)

★
★ VI ''Hispana''

★
★ VI ''Parthica''

★ Legio XII

★
★ XII ''Victrix''

See also

★ Roman army

★ Roman legion

★ Structural history of the Roman military

References

Primary sources

★ ''Notitia Dignitatum'' reports the military units and their locations at the beginning of the 5th century.

Secondary sources

★ ''Oxford Classical Dictionary''

★ Keppie, Lawrence. ''The Making of the Roman Army'', 1984

Notes

1. ''prima adiutrix'' (= rescuer First). Castra:70-86 Moguntiacum (Germania Superior) (Mainz, Ger); 86-mid 5thC:Brigetio (Pannonia) (Szőny, Hungary)
2. This emblem was accompanied by a Pegasus
3. ''prima germánica'' (= German-conquering First). Castra:c5BC-70: Colonia Agrippina (Germania Inferior) (Cologne,Ger). I Germanica was awarded its title for distinguished service on the Rhine c1-9AD
4. I Germanica was disbanded for its role in the Batavian rebellion
5. ''prima itálica'' (= Italian-recruited First). Castra: 70-early 5thC: Novae (Moesia Inferior) (Svishtov, Bulgaria)
6. ''prima macriana liberatrix'' (= Macer's liberator First).I Macriana was raised by Lucius Clodius Macer, governor of Africa, for use in the civil war of 68-9 (Year of Four Emperors). It was disbanded for its role
7. ''prima minervia'' (= Minerva-revering First). Dedicated to Minerva (the Roman equivalent of the Greek Athena), the goddess of war. Castra:82-4thC Bonna (Germania Inferior) (Bonn, Ger)
8. ''prima párthica'' (= Parthian-conquering First). This legion was awarded its title for its part in Emperor Septimius Severus 's punitive campaign against the Parthians in 197AD, for which purpose the legion was raised. Castra: 197-early 6thC Singara (Syria) (Sinjar, Iraq)
9. ''secunda adiutrix'' (= rescuer Second). Castra: 70-87 Britannia; 87-106 Moesia Superior; 106-at least 269 Aquincum (Pannonia) (Budapest, Hungary)
10. II Adiutrix disappears from record in 269, when its legionaries dedicated a statue to Emperor Claudius II Gothicus. One possibility was that it was destroyed in the heavy fighting on the Danube frontier during the period 269-84 (though the Romans were generally victorious in these campaigns)
11. ''secunda augusta'' (= Augustus' Second) Castra: 31BC-c9AD Hispania Tarraconensis; 9-43 Germania Superior; 43-74 various castra in Britannia; 74-at least 255 Isca Augusta (Caerleon, Wales); 4th century recorded at Rutupiae (Richborough, Kent)
12. ''secunda itálica'' (= Italian-recruited Second). Castra: 180-early 5thC Lauriacum (Noricum) (Lorch, Austria)
13. She-Wolf suckling the twins Romulus and Remus, the national symbol of Rome
14. ''secunda párthica'' (= Parthian-conquering Second). II Parthica was awarded its title for its part in Septimius Severus's punitive campaign against the Parthians, 197 AD, for which it was raised. Castra:197-218 Castra Albana (Italia) (Albano Laziale, near Rome); 218-234 Syria; 238-early 4thC Castra Albana; 4th century recorded in Bezabde (Syria)
15. ''secunda traiana fortis'' (= Trajan's valiant Second). Castra: 125-5thC Alexandria (Aegyptus)
16. ''tertia augusta'' (= Augustus' Third) Castra: 31BC-c20AD Africa Proconsularis; 20-75 Ammaedara (Mauretania) (Haidra, Tunisia); 75-late 4thC Lambaesis (Mauretania) (Batna, Algeria)
17. ''tertia cyrenaica'' (= Cyrene-recruited Third). Cyrene was a city near Benghazi, Libya. Castra: 31BC-35AD Thebes (Aegyptus); 35-125 Alexandria; 125-5thC Bostra (Arabia Petraea) (Busra, Syria)
18. ''tertia gállica'' (= Gaul-recruited Third). Castra: 31BC-4thC Raphana (Syria) (Abila, Jordan)
19. ''tertia itálica'' (= Italian-recruited Third). Castra: 165-4thC Castra Regina (Raetia) (Regensburg, Germany)
20. ''tertia párthica'' (= Parthian-conquering Third). III Parthica was awarded its title for its part in Septimius Severus 's punitive campaign against the Parthians (197 AD), for which purpose the legion was originally raised. Castra: 197-4thC Resaena (Syria) (Ras-al-Ayn, Syria)
21. ''quarta macedónica'' (= Macedonian-recruited Fourth). Castra: 31BC-43AD Hispania Tarraconensis; 43-70 Moguntiacum (Germania Superior) (Mainz, Ger)
22. Also Capricorn
23. IV Macedonica was disbanded for supporting the wrong side in the Year of Four Emperors, 68AD
24. ''quarta flavia felix'' (= Vespasian's lucky Fourth). ''Flavia'' refers to the ''gens'' (clan) name of Emperor Vespasian (Titus Flavius Vespasianus), who founded the legion. Castra: 86-4thC Singidunum (Moesia Superior) (Belgrade, Serbia)
25. ''quarta scýthica'' (= Scythian -conquering Fourth). IV Scythica was probably awarded its title for success against the transdanubian tribes in the heavy fighting on the Danube frontier, 27BC onwards. Castra: 20BC-58AD Moesia Superior; 68-5thC Zeugma (Cappadocia (nr. Gaziantep, Turkey)
26. ''quinta alaudae'' (= Fifth of the larks). V Alaudae's "larks" nickname may derive from the custom of the Gauls of adorning their helmets with bird feathers, or perhaps from their war-cry (the legion was originally recruited in Gaul). Castra:31-19BC Hispania; 19-c10BC Belgica; c10BC-70AD Castra Vetera (Germania Inferior) (Xanten, Germany)
27. V Alaudae was annihilated by rebel troops in the Batavian rebellion
28. ''quinta macedónica'' (= Macedonian-recruited Fifth). Castra: 30BC-6AD Macedonia; 6-101 Oescus (Moesia Inferior) (nr Pleven, Bulgaria); 101-274 Potaissa (Dacia) (Turda, Romania); 275-5thC Oescus
29. ''sexta ferrata'' (= ironclad Sixth). Castra: 30BC-71AD (likely) Raphana (Syria) (nr Hims, Syria); 71-119 Samosata (Cappadocia) (Samsat, Turkey); 119-132 Arabia Petraea; 135-250+ Caparcotna (Judaea)
30. VI Ferrata initially used a Bull as emblem, in common with most of Caesar's legions
31. VI Ferrata diappears from records after 250. It may have been destroyed at the Battle of Edessa in 260, the Roman disaster where Emperor Valerian was captured by the Parthians
32. ''sexta hispana'' (= Spain-recruited Sixth). VI Hispana definitely existed, as it is attested by a mid-third century inscription from Aquileia (NE Italy), dated in the rule of Emperor Philip the Arab (244-9). But that is our sole evidence for this unit. It was probably founded by Philip but it is not impossible that it dates from earlier in the 3rd century. The name implies that it was originally recruited in Spain, but does not necessarily mean it was based there
33. The lack of evidence suggests that VI Hispana was probably destroyed or disbanded in the mid-3rd century. One possibility is that was destroyed in Emperor Decius 's defeat by the Goths at the Battle of Abrittus in 251
34. ''sexta victrix'' (= victorious Sixth). Castra: 31BC-70AD Leon (Hispania Tarraconensis); 71-122 Neuss and then Castra Vetera (Xanten) (Germania Inferior); 122-late4thC Eburacum (Britannia) (York, England)
35. ''séptima claudia'' (= Claudius' Seventh) VII Claudia was awarded its title by Emperor Claudius (ruled 41-54) for loyalty during Scribonianus' mutiny in 42 AD. Castra: 31BC-c9AD Galatia; c-9-c58 Dalmatia; 58-late 4thC Viminacium (Moesia Superior) (Kostolac, Serbia)
36. ''séptima gémina'' (= twinned Seventh). Castra: 75-5thC Leon (Hispania Tarraconensis)
37. ''octava augusta'' (= Augustus' Eighth). Castra: 31-c15BC Africa Proconsularis; c15BC-44AD Poetovio (Pannonia) (Ptuj, Slovenia); 44-70 Novae (Moesia Inferior); 70-371+ Argentorate (Germania Superior) (Strasbourg, France)
38. ''nona hispana'' (= Iberian -conquering Ninth). IX Hispana was awarded its title for service in the Cantabrian Wars of 29-19BC. Castra: 31-20BC Hispania Tarraconensis; 20BC-43AD probably Pannonia; 43-71 Camulodunum (Colchester) and then Lindum (Lincoln); 71-c120 Eburacum (Britannia) (York, England)
39. IX Hispana disappears from records after 121, when it probably moved from Britannia to Germania Inferior. IX Hispana is missing in an inscription of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (162-80) listing legions in service. It may have been destroyed in the Second Jewish Revolt 132-5 or in the Danubian war of 162.
40. ''décima fretensis'' (= Tenth of the strait). X Fretensis' title refers to the Strait of Messina (''fretum siculum''), where the legion took part in the Battle of Naulochus in 36BC. Castra: 31-c25BC Judaea; c25BC-66AD Syria; 73-4thC Hierosolyma (Judaea) (Jerusalem)
41. Also Bull, Dolphin, Galley
42. ''décima gémina'' (= twinned Tenth). Castra: 31BC-71AD Hispania Tarraconensis; 71-103 Noviomagus (Germania Inferior) (Nijmegen, Netherlands); 103-early 5thC Vindobona (Pannonia) (Vienna, Austria)
43. ''undécima claudia'' (= Claudius' Eleventh). XI Claudia was awarded its title by Emperor Claudius (ruled 41-54) for loyalty during Scribonianus' mutiny, 42 AD. Castra:30BC-71AD Dalmatia; 71-104 Vindonissa (Raetia) (Windisch, Switz); 104-5thC Durostorum (Moesia Inferior) (Silistra, Bulgaria)
44. ''duodécima fulminata'' (= lightning-struck Twelfth). XII Fulminata's title may refer to some famous campaign incident, such as a legionary standard struck by a thunderbolt. This would have been interpreted as a highly favourable portent, as thunderbolts were the weapon of the highest god, Jupiter. Castra: 31BC-14AD Aegyptus; 14-71 Raphana (Syria); 71-5thC Melitene (Cappadocia) (Malatya, Turkey) (19)
45. ''décima tertia gémina'' (= twinned Thirteenth). Castra: 31-16BC Dalmatia; 16BC-9AD Emona (Pannonia) (Ljubliana, Slovenia); 9-45 Vindelica (Germania Superior); 45-106 Poetovio (Pannonia) (Ptuj, Slovenia); 106-270 Apulum (Dacia (Alba Iulia, Romania); 270-5thC Moesia Inferior
46. ''décima quarta gémina'' (= twinned Fourteenth). XIV Gemina also carried the title ''martia victrix'' (= Victorious, of Mars) i.e. dedicated to the god of war, Mars. Castra: 31BC-9AD Dalmatia; 9-43 Moguntiacum (Mainz) (Germania Superior); 43-70 Britannia; 70-92 Moguntiacum; 106-early 5thC Carnuntum (Noricum) (Petronell, Austria)
47. ''décima quinta apollinaris'' (= Apollo-revering Fifteenth). Dedicated to the god Apollo. Castra: 31BC-6AD Dalmatia; 9-61 Carnuntum (Noricum) (Petronell, Austria); 61-73 Syria; 73-117 Carnuntum; 117-5thC Satala (Cappadocia) (Saddagh, Turkey) (18)
48. Or perhaps griffin, a creature sacred to Apollo
49. ''décima quinta primigenia'' (= Fortuna-revering Fifteenth). Primigenia is another name for the goddess of fate, Fortuna. Castra: 39-43 Moguntiacum (Mainz) (Germania Superior); 43-70 Neuss (Germania Inferior)
50. XV Primigenia was destroyed by rebel troops during the Batavian rebellion
51. ''décima sexta gállica'' (= Gaul-recruited Sixteenth). Castra: 31BC-43AD Moguntiacum (Mainz) (Germania Superior); 43-70 Neuss (Germania Inferior)
52. XVI Gallica was disbanded for its treasonous role in the Batavian rebellion
53. ''décima sexta flavia firma'' (= Vespasian's steadfast Sixteenth). ''Flavia'' refers to the ''gens'' (clan) name of Emperor Vespasian (Titus Flavius Vespasianus), who founded the legion. Castra: 70-117 Satala (Cappadocia) (Saddagh, Turkey); 117-4thC Samosata (Cappadocia) (Samsat, Turkey)
54. ''décima séptima'' (= Seventeenth). Castra: 31-c15BC (probably) Aquitania; c15BC-9AD Castra Vetera (Germania Inferior) (Xanten, Ger)
55. XVII was annihilated at the Battle of the Teutoberg Forest by German tribes led by Arminius, 9AD
56. ''décima octava (duodevicésima)'' (= Eighteenth). Castra: 31-15BC unknown; c15BC-9AD Castra Vetera (Germania Inferior) (Xanten, Ger)
57. XVIII was annihilated at the Battle of the Teutoberg Forest by German tribes led by Arminius, 9AD
58. ''décima nona (undevicésima)'' (= Nineteenth). Castra: 31-15BC unknown; c15BC-9AD uncertain location on Rhine frontier
59. XIX was annihilated at the Battle of the Teutoberg Forest by German tribes led by Arminius, 9AD
60. ''vigésima (vicésima) valeria victrix'' (= Valerius' victorious Twentieth). The origin of the title ''valeria'' is unknown. There are 3 theories: (a) Derives from verb ''valere'' (= to be brave): but there is no such adjective known in Latin. (b) Means "black eagle", but the use of this word in Latin is doubtful. (c) Derives from the Roman noble gens (clan) name Valerius: the only linguistically plausible theory: if so, the title most likely honours Messalla (Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus), general and friend of Augustus, Roman consul alongside Augustus in 31BC, when XX Victrix was founded. Castra: 31-13BC Hispania Tarraconensis; 13BC-9AD Dalmatia; 9-43 Germania Inferior; 43-75 various bases Britannia; 75-late 3rdC Deva (Britannia) (Chester, England)
61. XX Valeria Victrix is not documented in the 4th century: possibly it was disbanded in disgrace for supporting the secession of Carausius (286-93) and Allectus (293-6) after Britain was returned to central control by the campaign of Constantius I Chlorus in 296 (or perhaps even destroyed in the battle that settled Allectus' fate)
62. ''vigésima prima rapax'' (= devouring Twenty-First). Castra: 25-16BC Hispania Tarraconensis; 15BC-9AD Regensburg (Raetia); 9-43 Castra Vetera (Germania Inferior) (Xanten, Ger); 43-70 Vindonissa (Raetia) (Vienna, Austria); 70-89 Moguntiacum (Germania Inferior) (Mainz, Ger); 89-92 Pannonia
63. XXI Rapax was annihilated by the Roxolani tribe during the Sarmatian war of 92-6
64. ''vigésima secunda deiotariana'' (= Deiotarus' Twenty-Second). Named after Deiotarus, client king of Galatia until 41BC, whose army formed the basis of the legion. Castra: 31-c8BC Galatia; c8BC-123AD+ Alexandria (Aegyptus)
65. XXII Deiotariana was probably destroyed by Jewish rebels in the Second Jewish Revolt of 132
66. ''vigésima secunda primigenia'' (= Fortuna-revering Twenty-Second). Primigenia was another name for Fortuna, the goddess of fate. Castra: 39-early 4thC Moguntiacum (Germania Superior) (Mainz, Ger)
67. ''trigésima ulpia victrix'' (= Trajan's victorious Thirtieth). ''Ulpia'' refers to the ''gens'' (clan) name of Emperor Trajan (Marcus Ulpius Traianus), who founded the legion. Castra: 105-122 Dacia; 122-early 5thC Castra Vetera (Germania Inferior) (Xanten, Germany)

External links

★ livius.org Roman legions

★ A catalogue of Roman legions

★ Lego V Living History Group in Tennessee