Legio II Parthica

• The Legio II Parthica was founded by Septimius Severus in 197 CE.
• It was frequently involved in civil wars with the result that it was based in Rome, Syria, Germania Superior and Mesopotamia.

Regimental Details

• Creation Date:
  • 197 CE Levied by Septimius Severus.
• Reason for creation:
  • To Campaign against the Parthian Empire.
• Dates:
  • 197 – c. 400 CE
• Fortress Bases:
  • Castra Albana (Albano Laziale, 25km from Rome) (c.198-218 CE and 238-c.312 CE)
  • Apamea Syria (218-234 CE)
  • Moguntiacum Germania Superior (234-238 CE)
  • Bezabde (Cizre, Turkey) Mesopotamia (360 CE)
  • Cepha (Hasankeyf, Turkey) Mesopotamia (c.400 CE)
• Title:
  • Legio II Parthica
    • meaning ‘The Second Parthian Legion’
  • ‘Pia Fidelis Felix Aeterna’
    • meaning ‘Forever Faithful, Loyal and Blessed’. Awarded for supporting Elagabalus to become Emperor.
  • ‘V Fidelis V Pia’
    • meaning ‘Five times Loyal and Faithful’. Awarded by Gallienus as a reward for supporting him
  • ‘VI Fidelis VI Pia’
    • meaning ‘Six times Loyal and Faithful’. Awarded by Gallienus
• Emblems:
  • The Bull and The Centaur.
• Notable Commanders:
• Structure of the Legion:
  • Roman Legion
  • Roman Army
  • Roman Weapons

Chronology

Early Campaigns:

• Campaigned successfully under Septimius Severus against the Parthian Empire resulting in the sack of Ctesiphon and the acquisition of the new Province of Mesopotamia where the Legion was to remain.
• 208-211 CE Campaigned under Septimius Severus in northern Britannia.
• 213 CE Campaigned against the Alemanni under Caracalla.
• Campaigned under Maximinus against the Sarmatians.

Posting in Rome (c.198-234 CE and 238-c.312 CE)

• c. 198-218 Based at Castra Albana (Albano Laziale, 15 miles (25 km) from Rome) c.198-218 CE.
• It acted as a spare Legion, being sent to reinforce campaigns along the Frontiers. It seems to have been kept at Rome to deter potential rivals from bringing their Legions to Rome to make themselves Emperor.
• 214-217 CE Campaigned against the Parthia Empire.

Posting in Syria (217-234 CE)

• Based at Apamea (Ruins, Syria) Syria 218-234 CE
• 231 CE Severus Alexander successfully used the Legion against the new Parthian Empire, the Sassanians.
• 234 CE The Legion was moved to Moguntiacum (Mainz) in Germania Superior.

Posting in Germania Superior (234-238 CE)

• Based at Mainz (Moguntiacum ) Germania Superior 234-238 CE
• 234 CE The Legion Campaigned against the Alemanni where Severus Alexander was killed.
• 238 CE The Legion was taken to Rome by Maximinus Thrax but the Legion overthrew him and was welcomed by the Senate to return to the Castra Albana, Rome.

Posting in Rome (238-c.312 CE)

• 238-c.312 CE Again based at the Castra Albana.
• 242-4 CE Possibly campaigned in Mesopotamia
• 249 CE Supported Philip the Arab against Decius.
• c.260 CE Supported Gallienus against Postumus.
• c.312 CE Castra Albana was closed by Constantine I and the Legion possibly Disbanded along with the Praetorian Guard, or sent to Mesopotamia.

Posting in Mesopotamia (312-c.400 CE)

• c.312 CE Possibly sent here after Castra Albana in Rome was closed by Constantine I.
• 360 CE A unit based at Bezabde (Cizre, Turkey) Mesopotamia was overrun by the Persians.
• c.400 CE A unit is mentioned by the Notitia Dignitatum at Cepha (Hasankeyf, Turkey) guarding the River Tigris.

Conclusion

• The Notitia Dignitatum (c. 400 CE) mentions the Legion as being based at Cepha (Hasankeyf, Turkey) on the River Tigris.
• After this date its Fate is unknown although Cepha became a Byzantine Fortress and only fell in c.630 CE to the Arab Invasions.

Castra Albana, Rome