Legio II Adiutrix

• The Legio II Adiutrix was founded by Vespasian in 70 CE.
• It was based in Britannia between 71-87 CE and in Budapest, Pannonia Inferior between c.87-c.269 CE.

Regimental Details

• Creation Date:
  • 70 CE Raised by Vespasian from sailors of the Classis Ravennas.
• Reason for creation:
  • To suppress the Batavian Revolt
• Dates: 70 – c.269-306 CE
• Fortress Bases:
  • Nijmegen (Noviomagus), Germania Inferior (69-70 CE)
  • Chester (Deva), Britannia (71-84 CE)
  • Lincoln (Lindum), Britannia (71-84 CE)
  • Inchtuthil Legionary Fortress Caledonia (86-7 CE)
  • Budapest (Aquincum) Pannonia Inferior (c.87-269 CE)
  • Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia), Pannonia Inferior
• Title:
  • ‘Adiutrix’ Meaning ‘Rescuer’.
• Emblems:
  • The Capricorn and the Pegasus
• Notable Commanders:
  • Hadrian served as a military Tribune.
• Structure of the Legion:
  • Roman Legion
  • Roman Army
  • Roman Weapons

Chronology

Early Campaigns:

• 69-70 CE Sent to Germania Inferior to suppress the Batavian Revolt.

Posting in Britannia (71-87 CE)

• 71 CE The Legion was sent to Britannia with the new Governor Quintus Petilius Cerialis.
• Either Based at Lindum (Lincoln) first and then Deva (Chester) with the Legio XX Valeria Victrix, or vice versa.
• 71-74 CE Campaigned against the Revolt of Venutius, Leader of the Brigantes.
• The Legion was used to man Forts in Wales and England, possibly whilst the Twentieth was away.
• 86-7 CE A Vexillation was based briefly at Inchtuthil Legionary Fortress in Scotland.
• 87 The Legion was sent to the Danube.

Posting in Pannonia Inferior (c.87-c.269 CE)

• 87 or 106-269 CE Based in Aquincum (Budapest, Hungary)
• c.87-96 CE A Unit based at Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia)
• 88-106 CE Campaigned in the Dacian Wars and in 106 CE helped lay siege to the Dacian Capital, Sarmisegetusa.
• 162-66 CE Campaigned in the Parthian Wars.
• 166-180 CE Campaigned in the Marcomannic Wars
• 193 CE After the assassination of Pertinax the Legion supported Septimius Severusas Emperor.
• 213 CE Campaigned under Caracalla against the Alemanni.
• 238 CE Campaigned under Gordian against the Sassanid Empire.
• 269 CE Possibly campaigned under Claudius II against the Visigoths.

Conclusion

• c.305-306 CE. A unit is recorded during the rule of Constantius I Chlorus (305-6 CE) at  Mainz (Moguntiacum) in Germania Superior.
• This is the last known reference to the Legion after which its fate is unknown.

Aquincum, Budapest