- The Legio I Italica was created in 66 CE by Nero.
- Between 70-c.400 CE the Legion was based at Novae (Ruins in Svishtov, Bulgaria)
Regimental Details
- Creation Date:
- 22 September 66 CE (Recorded on an Inscription) Levied by Nero.
- Reason for creation
- Dates: 22 September 66 c.400 CE
- Fortress Bases:
- Novae (Ruins, Svishtov, Bulgaria) Moesia Inferior (70-c.400 CE)
- A Unit was based at Salona (Solin, 5 miles from Split, Croatia) Dalmatia (c.222 CE)
- Sexaginta Prista (Ruse, Bulgaria) Moesia Inferior (c.400 CE)
- Title:
- Meaning The ‘First Legion levied from Italians’.
- Emblems:
- The Boar and the Bull.
- Notable Commanders:
- Structure of the Legion:
Chronology
- Early Campaigns:
- 68 CE Sent to Gaul to suppress the Revolt of the Governor, Gaius Julius Vindex.
- 69 CE During the Year of the Four Emperors, the Legion fought under Vitellius but was defeated by Vespasian who sent the Legion to Novae in Moesia Inferior.
Posting in Moesia Inferior (70-c.400 CE)
- 70-c.400 CE Based at Novae (Ruins, Svishtov, Bulgaria)
- 101-6 CE Built the Danube Bridges for Trajan‘s Dacian Wars.
- 2nd Century CE onwards, Vexillatio stationed at Charax, Crimea, along with a vexillatio from the Legio XI Claudia.
- 162-182 CE Probably campaigned under Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars.
- 198-217 CE During Caracalla‘s reign, the Legion constructed the Limes Transalutanus which started at Novae.
- 222-235 CE During Alexander Severus‘ Reign, a Unit was sent to Salona (Solin, 5 miles from Split, Croatia), the Capital of Dalmatia.
Posting in Britannia (139-142 CE)
- 139-142 CE A Vexillatio was sent to build a section of the Antonine Wall, in Scotland.
Conclusion
- c.400 CE Half of the Legion was still based at Novae (Ruins, Shvishtov, Bulgaria) with the other half based at Sexaginta Prista (meaning ‘the city of 60 Ships’) at Ruse, Bulgaria, in Moesia Inferior.
Novae, Schvishtov