Legio I Minervia

  • The Legio I Minervia was founded by Domitian in 82 CE.
  • The Legion was based at Bonn between 82-353 CE.

Regimental Details

  • Creation Date:
    • 82 CE
  • Reason for creation
    • Domitian raised this Legion for his Campaign against the Chatti.
  • Dates:
    • 82 CE-4th century CE.
  • Fortress Bases:
  • Titles:
    • ‘Minervia’ meaning ‘Devoted to the Goddess Minerva’.
    • ‘Pia Fidelis Domitiana’ meaning ‘Loyal and Faithful to Domitian’.
  • Emblems:
    • The Image of the Goddess Minerva.
  • Notable Commanders:
    • Hadrian was Legate of the Legion in 106 CE.
  • Structure of the Legion:

Chronology

Early Campaigns:

  • 82 CE Campaign against the Chatti:
    • Domitian went to Gaul and raised a new Legion, the Legio I Minervia.
    • After building roads through their territory, he conducted a series of battles, returning to celebrate a Roman Triumph in Rome in 83 CE. However, despite this Campaign, the Chatti were to revolt again in 89 CE.
  • 96 CE The Legion suppressed a Revolt by the Governor of Germania Superior.
  • 101-106 CE The entire Legion was sent to campaign in the Dacian Wars.

The Twin Legion

  • In 105 CE, the Legio XXX Ulpia Victrix was founded to fight in the Dacian Wars.
  • Between 122-c.407 CE the Legio XXX Ulpia Victrix was based at Xanten and became the twin Legion with the Legio I Minervia.
  • Both Legions were sent to fight together and both worked together on local quarries as well as on Building Projects.
  • The two were known as ‘the Army of Germania Inferior’ or ‘EXGERINF’ (Exercitus Germania Inferior).

Posting in Germania Inferior (82-353 CE)

Conclusion

  • In 353 CE Bonn was occupied by the Franks, during the Germanic Invasions.
  • After this there is no further record of the Legio I Minervia.

 

Bonn

Get Directions Go to Visitor Map
Posted in .