List of Roman Legions
List of Roman Legions
List of Roman Legions
The legions were identified by Roman numerals, though the spelling sometimes differed from the modern
"standard". For example, in addition to the spellings "IV", "IX", "XIV", "XVIII" and "XIX", the
respective spellings "IIII", "VIIII", "XIIII", "XIIX" and "XVIIII" were commonly used.[1]
Contents
Late Republican legions
Early Empire legions
Legend
Legion number and title (cognomen)
Main legionary base
Emblem
Date disbanded
Castra legionaria
Notes
Late Empire legions
See also
Notes
References
Primary sources
Secondary sources
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 authorized by the Roman Senate, and were later disbanded.
Gaius 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 practiced. The property requirements were abolished by
Marius, so that the bulk of recruits were henceforth from the landless citizens, who would be most attracted
to the paid employment and land offered after their service.
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, such as 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. 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 of Rome in 31 BC, 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
Marc Antony.
Legio I Germanica (Germanic): 48 BC – AD 70 (Revolt of the Batavi), Julius Caesar
Legio II Sabina (Sabine): 43 BC – c. AD 9, early name of the Legio II Augusta
Legio III Cyrenaica (from Cyrene): probably c. 36 BC to (at least) the 5th century, Mark
Antony
Legio III Gallica (Gallic): around 49 BC to at least early 4th century, Julius Caesar (emblem:
bull)
Legio IV Macedonica (Macedonian): 48 BC – AD 70 (renamed by Vespasian), Julius Caesar
(emblem: bull, capricorn)
Legio IV Scythica (from Scythia): c. 42 BC to at least early 5th century, Mark Antony
(emblem: capricorn)
Legio V Alaudae (Larks): 52 BC – AD 70 or 86 (destroyed either during the Batavian
rebellion or by the Dacians in first Battle of Tapae), Julius Caesar (emblem: elephant)
Legio VI Ferrata (Ironclad): 52 BC – after 250, Julius Caesar (emblem: bull, she-wolf and
Romulus and Remus); twin legion of Legio VI Victrix
Legio VI Victrix (Victorious): 41 BC – after 402, Octavian (emblem: bull)
Legio VII Claudia Pia Fidelis (loyal and faithful to Claudius): 51 BC – 44 BC, Julius Caesar;
disbanded and re-formed by Vespasian as Legio VII Gemina
Legio VIII Augusta: 59 BC – 48 BC, Julius Caesar, disbanded and re-enlisted by Augustus
as Legio VIII Augusta
Legio IX Hispana Triumphalis (Triumphant): 59 BC – 48 BC, Julius Caesar, disbanded and
re-enlisted by Augustus as Legio IX Hispana
Legio X Fretensis (of the sea strait): levied by Augustus in 41–40 BC
Legio X Equestris (Equestrian): before 58 BC – 45 BC, Julius Caesar's personal legion
Legio XI Claudia: 58 BC – 45 BC, Julius Caesar (emblem: Neptune), disbanded,
reconstituted by Augustus
Legio XII Victrix (Victorious): 57 BC – AD 45, Julius Caesar
Legio XII Fulminata (Thunderbolt): after being renamed by Augustus, first reconstituted by
Lepidus in 43 BC, named by Mark Antony as Legio XII Antiqua (Ancient)
Legio XIII Gemina (Twin): 57 BC – 45 BC: Julius Caesar, later (41 BC) reconstituted by
Augustus. The legion that crossed the Rubicon with Caesar on his assault on Rome.
Legio XIV Gemina (Twin): 57 BC – 48 BC: Julius Caesar, destroyed and reconstituted in
53 BC. Reconstituted by Augustus after 41 BC
Legio XVII Classica (Of the Fleet): raised by Mark Antony, disbanded in 31 BC by Octavian
following his victory at the Battle of Actium.
Legio XVIII Libyca (from Libya): raised by Mark Antony, disbanded in 31 BC by Octavian
following his victory at the Battle of Actium.
Legio XIX: raised by Mark Antony, disbanded in 31 BC by Octavian following his victory at
the Battle of Actium.
Legio XX Siciliana: raised by Octavian for the purpose of launching an invasion of Sicily in
36 BC, which at the time was held by Sextus Pompeius.
Legio XXVIII: 47 BC – 31 BC, Julius Caesar
Legio XXIX: 49 BC – 30 BC, Julius Caesar
Legio XXX Classica (Naval): 48 BC – 41 BC, Julius Caesar
The numbering of the legions is confusing, since 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 Teutoburg Forest, were
never used again. (These three legions are without titles, suggesting that in disgrace their titles may have
been deliberately forgotten or left unmentioned.) 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 (loyal and faithful), 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 country a legion was originally recruited e.g. Italica = from Italy or
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 means that two diminished legions have been combined to make one new one.
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 4th 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, 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. 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 c. 107). In reality provincial borders were modified several times between 30 BC and 284: this
explains any discrepancy with other sources, as to a legion's location at a particular date.
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: Shield pattern of the palatina legion
of the Ioviani seniores, according to
1. Scholae: the personal guard of the Emperor, created by the Notitia Dignitatum.
Constantine I to replace the Praetorian Guard;
2. Palatinae: "palace troops" were the highest ranked units,
created by Constantine I after he disbanded the Praetorian Guard, it was comprised
originally of former guardsmen;
3. Comitatenses: regular field units, some were newly-formed, others were descended from
Early-Empire legions;
4. Pseudocomitatenses: these were limitanei units diverted into the field army and often kept
there; some Early Empire legions became pseudocomitatenses units.
These units usually numbered between 300 and 2,000 soldiers and some of them kept their original
numbering schemes. The primary source for the legions of this era is the Notitia Dignitatum, a late 4th-
century document containing all the civil and military offices of both halves of the Roman Empire (revised
in c. 420 for the Western Empire).
Legio I
I Armeniaca
I Flavia Constantia (reliable Flavian): comitatensis unit under the command of the
Magister militum per Orientis
I Flavia Gallicana Constantia (reliable Flavian legion from Gallia): pseudocomitatensis
under the command of the Magister Peditum per Gallias. The legion was founded by
Constantius I Chlorus. The legions objective was to protect the Armorican coast and fight
the Roman-British usurper, Allectus.[3][4][5]
I Flavia Martis (Flavian legion devoted to Mars): pseudocomitatensis. The legion was
founded by Constantius Chlorus to fight Allectus.[5][6] It was stationed in Gaul.[6]
I Flavia Pacis (Flavian legion of peace): comitatensis under the command of the
Magister Peditum
I Flavia Theodosiana: comitatensis.
I Illyricorum (of the Illyrians): stationed at the Camp of Diocletian in Palmyra
I Iovia (devoted to Jupiter): levied by Diocletian, stationed in Scythia Minor
I Isaura Sagittaria (archers from Isauria): pseudocomitatensis under the command of the
Magister militum per Orientis
I Iulia Alpina: pseudocomitatensis under the command of the Magister Peditum in Italy. It
is unknown who founded the legion although it was probably Crispus or Constans.[7]
I Martia possibly based near modern Kaiseraugst. The Legion could have had the
surname Victrix.[8] The legion was probably founded by Diocletian. It also may have built
forts in Valeria.[8]
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. The legion was probably founded by
Diocletian to help defend the Danube.
I Pontica: the legion was founded by Dioceltian to help defend Pontus Polemoniacus.[9]
The legion was stationed in Trapezus.[9]
Legio II
II Armeniaca
II Britannica: comitatensis under Magister Peditum
II Flavia Constantia: comitatensis under the command of the Magister Peditum
II Flavia Virtutis: comitatensis under the command of the Magister Peditum
II Herculia (devoted to Hercules): levied by Diocletian, stationed in Scythia Minor
II Isaura
II Iulia Alpina: pseudocomitatensis under the command of the Magister Peditum, in
Comes Illyricum command. It was probably founded by Crispus or Constans. Its
objective was to defend Alpes Cottiae
II Felix Valentis Thebaeorum: comitatensis
Legio III
III Diocletiana
III Flavia Salutis The Legio III Flacia Salutis was a comitatensis legion of the Late
Roman Empire. The legion was raised by either Constantius II or Diocletian. The legion
was used to guard North Africa. The Legio III Flavia Salutis was under the command of
the Magister Militum in the west.[4][10][11]
III Herculea: comitatensis under the command of the Comes Illyricum
III Isaura
III Iulia Alpina: comitatensis under the command of the Magister Peditum command in
Italy
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
List of Roman auxiliary regiments
Roman army
Auxilia
Roman legion
Structural history of the Roman military
Notes
1. Boyne, William (1968). A manual of Roman coins. p. 13.
2. "Roman Legionary Fortresses" (http://www.legionaryfortresses.info/index.htm).
www.legionaryfortresses.info. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20161220212308/http://
www.legionaryfortresses.info/index.htm) from the original on 2016-12-20.
3. "Legio I Flavia Gallicana Constantia - Livius" (https://www.livius.org/articles/legion/legio-i-fla
via-gallicana-constantia/). www.livius.org. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
4. History of the Roman Legions.
5. Lacey, James (2016). Great Strategic Rivalries From the Classical World to the Cold War.
Oxford University Press.
6. "Legio I Flavia Martis - Livius" (https://www.livius.org/articles/legion/legio-i-flavia-martis/).
www.livius.org. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
7. "Legio I Iulia Alpina - Livius" (https://www.livius.org/articles/legion/legio-i-iulia-alpina/#:~:text
=Legio%20I%20Iulia%20Alpina:%20one,%22the%20Julian%20Alpine%20legion%22.&text
=The%20element%20Julia,%20however,%20suggests,Empire%20between%20337%20an
d%20350.). www.livius.org. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
8. "Legio I Martia - Livius" (https://www.livius.org/articles/legion/legio-i-martia/). www.livius.org.
Retrieved 2020-08-06.
9. "Legio I Pontica - Livius" (https://www.livius.org/articles/legion/legio-i-pontica/).
www.livius.org. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
10. DuBois, Michael (2016). Auxillae. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-132-963-758-0.
11. Lenski, Noel (2006). The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine. Cambridge
University Press.
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 pp. 205–215
Stephen Dando-Collins "Legions Of Rome"
External links
Legio X (http://www.legionx.pl) – Legio X Gemina (Equites) – "Viri Clarissimi"
Livius.org: List of Roman legions (https://www.livius.org/le-lh/legio/legions.htm)
A catalogue of Roman legions (http://www.davros.org/romans/legions.html)
Legio V Living History Group in Tennessee (https://web.archive.org/web/20080507205724/h
ttp://web.utk.edu/~cohprima/)
Roman legions from Dacia (KML file) (http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=dow
nload&Number=977551&filename=Roman%20castra%20from%20Romania.kmz)