Legio II Herculea

• The Legio II Herculea was founded by Diocletian between 284-305 CE.
• It was based at Capidava in Roumania between 284-c.400 CE.

Regimental Details

• Creation Date:
  • c. 284-305 CE (Exact date unknown) Raised by Diocletian along with the Legio I Jovia
• Reason for creation
  • Late Empire Legion raised to Defend the new Province of Scythia Minor.
• Dates: c.284 – c.400 CE
• Fortress Bases:
  • Capidava (Ruins near Dobruja, Romania) (c.284-c.400 CE)
  • Troesmis (Ruins, Iglita-Turcoaia, Romania) (337-361 CE). It is not known whether this was a sub unit or if the main Base had moved.
• Title:
  • Legio II Herculea
    • meaning ‘Second Legion devoted to Hercules’. Named after Diocletian’s Co-Emperor who referred to himself as Maximianus (similar to Hercules).
• Emblems:
• Notable Commanders:
• Structure of the Legion:
  • Roman Legion
  • Roman Army
  • Roman Weapons

Chronology

Early Campaigns:

Posting in Scythia Minor (284-c.400 CE)

• c.284-c.400 CE Based at Capidava (Ruins near Dobruja, Romania)
• Also based at Troesmis (Ruins, Iglita-Turcoaia, Romania): 337-361 CE (It is not known whether this was a Vexillatio or if the main Base had moved)

Posting in Mauretania Sitifensis (293-297 CE)

• A Legionary inscription shows that a Unit was sent to Sitifis (Setif, Algeria).
• c.293-7 CE The Eastern part of Mauretania Caesariensis was split off and the new Province of Mauretania Sitifensis was created, dividing Mauretania into three Parts..
• Sitifa was the Capital of the new Province, and it may be that the Legio II Herculea sent a Vexillatio to defend it.

Conclusion

• C.400 CE The Notitia Dignitatum records the Legion as still being based at Capidava (Ruins near Dobruja, Romania), after which no further record exists.

Capidava, Roumania