List of Roman legions

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This is a list of Roman legions, including key facts about each legion, primarily focusing on Principate (early Empire, 30BC - 284AD) legions, for which there exists 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.

Contents

[edit] 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 were levied by Mark Antony.

[edit] Early Empire legions

CODES FOR ROMAN PROVINCES IN TABLE:

DIRECTORY OF ROMAN LEGIONS OF THE EARLY EMPIRE (units founded between 59BC and 250AD)
Legion
no & title		 Main
legionary base		 Emblem Date founded/
founder		 Date
disband		 Castra legionaria (legion bases)
* = main base. Start date 31BC if unspecified		 Notes
I Adiutrix Szöny, Hungary Capricorn 68 Nero 444 70-86 Moguntiacum (GS); 86-mid 5thC Brigetio* (PAN) "Rescuer 1st". Was I classica (naval legion)
I Germanica Bonn, Germany Bull 48BC Caesar 70 DD to 16BC HISP; c5BC-70 Bonna* (GI) Disbanded for cowardice in Batavi revolt
I Italica Svishtov, Bulgaria Boar 66 Nero post 400 70-early 5thC Novae* (MI) prima Italica:raised for aborted Caucasus war
I Macriana 68 Macer 69 DD (Raised for mutiny against Nero by Macer, gov of AFR) liberatrix: "Liberator 1st". Disbanded by Galba
I Minervia Bonn, Germany Minerva 82 Domitian post 300 82-4thC Bonna* (GI) "Minerva revering 1st"
I Parthica Sinjar, Turkey Centaur 197 S. Severus post 400 197-early 5thC Nisibis* (SYR) Raised for Parthian campaign 197
II Adiutrix Budapest, Hung Capricorn 70 Vespasian 269+ UF 70-87 BRIT; 87-106 MS; 106-min269 Aquincum* (PAN) Ex-naval legion. Lost in Danube wars 269-84?
II Augusta Caerleon, Wales Capricorn pre 9 Augustus post 300 to c9AD HISP; 43-74 BRIT; 74-min255 Isca Augusta* (BRIT) Defeated Boudica 60. c395 at Rutupiae (BRIT)
II Italica Enns, Austria She-Wolf 165 M Aurelius post 400 180-c400 Lauriacum* (NR) Wolf suckling twins Rome's national emblem
II Parthica Albano Laziale, It Centaur 197 S. Severus post 350 197-218 Castra Albana* (IT); 218-34 SYR; 238-c300 C. Albana 4thC recorded at Bezabde (SYR)
II Traiana Alexandria, Egypt Hercules 105 Trajan post 400 125-5thC Alexandria* (AEG) secunda fortis "Trajan's valiant 2nd"
III Augusta Batna, Algeria Pegasus 43BC Augustus post 350 to20AD AFR; 20-75 Ammaedara 74-350+ Lambaesis* (MAUR) Decimated for cowardice in Mauri war (18AD)
III Cyrenaica Busra, Syria 36BC M Antony post 400 to35AD Thebes 35-125 Alexandria AEG; 125-5thC Bostra* AR "3rd from Cyrene"
III Gallica Abila, Jordan Two Bulls 49BC Caesar post 300 31BC-4thC Raphana* (SYR) tertia Gallica: "3rd from Gaul"
III Italica Regensburg, Ger Stork 165 M Aurelius post 300 165-4thC Castra Regina* (RT) Raised for war on Marcomanni
III Parthica Ras-al-Ayn, Syria Bull 197 S. Severus post 400 197-4thC Resaena* (SYR) Raised for Parthian campaign 197
Legion
no & title		 Main
legionary base		 Emblem Date founded/
founder		 Date
disband		 Castra legionaria (legion bases)
* = main base. Start date 31BC if unspecified		 Notes
IV Flavia Felix Belgrade, Serbia Lion 70 Vespasian pre 400 86-4thC Singidunum* (MS) Vespasian's lucky 4th. Reformed IV Macedon
IV Macedon. Mainz, Germany Bull 48BC Caesar 70 DD to 43AD HISP; 43-70 Moguntiacum* (GS) Disbanded for cowardice in Batavi revolt
IV Scythica cGaziantep, Turk Capricorn 42BC M Antony post 400 to 58AD MS; 68-5thC Zeugma* (CAP) quarta scythica: "Scythian-conquering 4th"
V Alaudae Xanten, Germany Elephant 52BC Caesar 70 XX to 19BC HISP; c10BC-70AD Castra Vetera* (GI) "Larks 5th" Feathers in helmet? XX by Batavi
V Macedonica Turda, Romania Bull 43BC Augustus post 400 to 6 MCD; 6-101 Oescus (MI); 101-274 Potaissa* (DC); 275- MI quinta macedonica: "5th from Macedonia"
VI Ferrata Galilee, Israel She-Wolf 58BC Caesar 250+ UF to 71AD Raphana (SYR); 135-250+ Caparcotna* (JUD) "Ironclad 6th". XX at Battle of Edessa 260?
VI Hispana post 212 250+ UF unknown Only 1 record. XX at Battle of Abrittus 251?
VI Victrix York, England Bull 41BC Augustus pre 400 to 70AD Leon (HISP); 71-122 GI; 122-c400 Eburacum* (BRIT) "Victorious 6th" built Hadrian's Wall 122-32
VII Claudia Kostolac, Serbia Bull 58BC Caesar c.400 to 9AD GAL; 9-58 DLM; 58-c400 Viminacium* (MS) septima Claudia: title for crushing mutiny 42
VII Gemina León, Spain 68 Galba c.400 75-c400 Castra Legionis* (HISP) Raised in Spain by Galba for march on Rome
VIII Augusta Strasbourg, Fr Bull 59BC Caesar post 371 9-44 Poetovio PAN; 44-70 Novae MI; 70-371+ Argentorate* GS octava Augusta:
IX Hispana York, England Bull 41BC Augustus 120+ UF to13BC HISP; 9-43 PAN?; 71-c120 Eburacum* (BRIT) nona Hispana: XX in 2nd Jewish War c132?
X Fretensis Jerusalem Boar 40BC Augustus post 400 to 25BC JUD; 25BC-66AD SYR; 73-c400+ Hierosolyma* fretum = Strait of Messina, Naulochus 36BC
X Gemina Vienna, Austria Bull 42BC Lepidus post 400 to71 HISP; 71-103 Noviomagus GI; 103-c400 Vindobona* NR Was X equestris, Caesar's "mounted" legion
XI Claudia Silistra, Bulgaria Neptune 42BC Augustus post 400 to71AD DLM; 71-104 Vindonissa RT; 104-c400 Durostorum* MI undecima Claudia: honoured by Claudius
XII Fulminata Malatya, Turkey Thdrbolt 43BC Lepidus post 400 to 14AD AEG; 14-71 Raphana (SYR); 71-c400 Melitene* (CAP) Thunderbolt 12th lost aquila in 1st Jewish War
Legion
no & title		 Main
legion base		 Emblem Date founded/
founder		 Date
disband		 Castra legionaria (legion bases)
* = main base. Start date 31BC if unspecified		 Notes
XIII Gemina Alba Iulia, Rom Lion 57BC Caesar post 400 45-106 Poetovio PAN 106-270 Apulum* DC 270-400 MI "Twinned 13th". Crossed Rubicon with Caesar 49BC
XIV Gemina Petronell, Aust Capricorn 41BC Augustus post 400 9-43 GS; 43-70 BRIT; 70-92 GS; 106-c400 Carnuntum* Defeated Boudica's Britons at Watling Street (60AD)
XV Apollinaris Saddagh, Turk Apollo 41BC Augustus post 400 9-61 NR 61-73 SYR 73-117 NR; 117-c400 Satala* CAP "Apollo-revering 15th". Fought in First Jewish War
XV Primigenia Xanten, Ger Fortuna 39 Caligula 70 XX 39-43 Moguntiacum (GS); 43-70 Castra Vetera* (GI) Primigenia goddess of Fate. XX in Batavi revolt
XVI Flavia Firma Samsat, Turk Lion 70 Vespasian post 300 70-117 Satala (CAP); 117-300+ Samosata* CAP "Vespasian's steadfast 16th". Reformed XVI Gallica
XVI Gallica Mainz, Ger Lion 41BC Augustus 70 DD to 43AD Moguntiacum* (GS); 43-70 Novaesium* (GI) Disbanded for cowardice in Batavi revolt
XVII Xanten, Ger 41BC Augustus 9 XX to 15BC AQ?; 15BC-9AD Castra Vetera* (GI) XX in Teutoberg F. by Arminius' Germans, lost aquila
XVIII Xanten, Ger 41BC Augustus 9 XX to 15BC AQ?; 15BC-9AD Castra Vetera* (GI) Destroyed in Teutoberg Forest, lost aquila standard
XIX 41BC Augustus 9 XX to 15BC unknown; 15BC-9AD somewhere in GI Destroyed in Teutoberg Forest, lost aquila standard
XX Valeria Vict. Chester, Eng Boar 31BC Augustus 250+ UF to9AD DLM; 9-43 GI; 43-75 BRIT; 75-250+ Deva* BRIT vigesima named for Messalla? XX in Allectus' fall 296?
XXI Rapax Windisch Switz Capricorn 31BC Augustus 92 XX 9-43 GI; 43-70 Vindonissa* (RT); 70-89 GI; 89-92 PAN "Devourer 21st". XX by Roxolani Sarmatian tribe PAN
XXII Deiotariana Alexandria, Eg 48BC 132 XX to c8BC GAL; 8BC-123AD+ Alexandria* (AEG) GAL king "Deiotarus's 21st". XX in 2nd Jewish War
XXII Primigenia Mainz, Ger Hercules 39 Caligula post 300 39-c300 Moguntiacum* (GS) Raised for Caligula's German war
XXX Ulpia Victrix Xanten, Ger Jupiter 105 Trajan post 400 105-22 DC; 122-c400 Castra Vetera* (GI) "Trajan's victorious 30th" (M Ulpius Traianus)

TABLE LEGEND

  • Legion number & title

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. For example, 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; but the second Trajanic legion was given the sequential number II. 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, or has been split from another to form a new legion. 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. 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 disbanded

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

  • Castra legionaria

Indicates the bases (castra) and/or provinces where the legion was based during its history, with dates.

  • Notes

Contains points of note, including explanation of titles and details of a legion's fate.

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

[edit] Late Empire Legions

Shield pattern of the palatina legion of the Ioviani seniores, according to Notitia Dignitatum.
Shield pattern of the palatina legion of the Ioviani seniores, according to Notitia Dignitatum.

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:

  1. Scholae units: the personal guard of the Emperor, created to substitute the Praetorian Guard disbanded by Constantine I;
  2. Palatinae units: "palace" units were the highest ranked units;
  3. Comitatenses units: "line" or "regular" units, some of them were new legions, other were Early Empire legions;
  4. 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 Sagittaria (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 XII
    • XII Victrix

[edit] References

[edit] Primary sources

[edit] Secondary sources

[edit] Notes

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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