Legio IIII Flavia Felix

The Legio IIII Flavia Felix was founded by Vespasian in 70 CE.
It was based in Belgrade in the Province of Moesia Superior between 86-c.300 CE.

Creation Date:
- 70 CE Levied by Vespasian.
Reason for creation
- To replace the Legio IIII Macedonica who had supported Vitellius against Vespasian and therefore were disbanded.
- Vespasian did the same to the Legio XVI Gallica which became the Legio XVI Flavia Firma.
Dates:
- 70-c.300 CE.
Fortress Bases:
- Burnum (Kistanje, Croatia) Dalmatia (70-86 CE)
- Belgrade (Singidunum, Serbia) Moesia Superior (86-c.300’s CE)
Titles:
- ‘Flavia Felix’ meaning ‘The Fourth Lucky Flavian Legion’. Flavius was from Vespasian‘s family name.
Emblems:
- The Lion
Notable Commanders:
- Clodius Albinus (c.180)
Structure of the Legion:

70-86 CE Based at Burnum (Kistanje, Croatia) where it replaced the Legio XI Claudia.

86 CE Belgrade, (Singidunum, Serbia) and a unit at Viminacium (Kostolac, Serbia) sharing with the Legio VII Claudia.
86-106 CE Campaigned in the Dacian Wars, under both Domitian and Trajan, securing victory at the Second Battle of Tapae in 101 CE, and conquering the Capital, Sarmisegetusa in 106 CE.
A unit built and occupied the Castra of Arad (Ruins in Arad, Romania) in Dacia, along with a unit of the Legio XIII Gemina.
166-180 CE The Legion campaigned in the Marcomannic Wars.
193 CE After the assassination of Pertinax, the Legion supported Septimius Severus to become Emperor.
A unit was also garrisoned at Sirmium, (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia), the Capital of Pannonia Inferior.
c.300 CE An Inscription survives mentioning the Legion in Singidunum (Belgrade, Serbia), but after this there is no record.

The Legion is last mentioned in c.300 CE but is not listed in the Notitia Dignitatum of c.400 CE. It may have been disbanded or lost before this date.
The other Legion in Moesia Superior, the Legio VII Claudia, also disappears from the record at the same time.

Singidunum, Belgrade