Legio IIII Scythica

• The Legio IIII Scythica was founded by Mark Anthony in c.42 BCE.
• It was based in Syria between 66-219 CE.

Regimental Details

• Creation Date:
  • c.42 BCE Levied by Mark Anthony
• Reason for creation
  • To campaign in the war against Parthia
• Dates:
  • c.42 BCE-c.400 CE
• Fortress Bases:
  • Viminacium (possibly) (near Kostolac, Serbia) Moesia Inferior (30 BCE-58 CE)
  • Zeugma (Ruins, Turkey) Syria (66 CE onwards)
  • Sura (Suriya) Syria (c.400 CE)
• Title:
  • Legio IIII Scythica
    • meaning ‘The Fourth Scythian Legion’ indicating that they were either from Scythia or fought against the Scythians.
• Emblems:
  • The Capricorn
• Notable Commanders:
  • Mark Anthony
  • Quintus Varius Nepos
  • Vespasian
• Structure of the Legion:
  • Roman Legion
  • Roman Army
  • Roman Weapons

Chronology

• Early Campaigns:

Posting in Moesia Inferior (c.30 BCE-58 CE)

• c.30 BCE The Legion was sent to Moesia Inferior, possibly Viminacium (near Kostolac, Serbia).
• 6-9 CE Campaigned against the Illyrians and Pannonians.

Campaign against the Parthians (58-62 CE)

• 58-62 CE Campaigned against the Parthians, then moved to Syria in 66 CE.

Posting in Syria (66 CE- )

• 66 CE The Legion was moved to Zeugma (Ruins, Turkey).
• 69 CE Year of the Four Emperors the Legion backed Vespasian but was not involved in the civil war. Instead it was engaged to engineer a canal and tunnel.
• 69-140 CE Legionaries helped complete the Titus Tunnel and canal at Seleucia of Pieria.
• 115-116 Campaigned in Trajan's Parthian War.
• 195-197 CE Campaigned in Septimius Severus Parthian Campaign.
• 219 CE The Legion supported the Commander Maximus against Elagabalus.

Conclusion

• Between 219-c.400 CE the Legion disappears from the record.
• It is last mentioned in the Notitia Dignitatum (c.400 CE) as being based at Sura (Suraya) in Syria.

Zeugma, Birecik Dam, Turkey