- The Legio VII Claudia was founded by Pompey in 65 BCE.
- It was based in Viminacium in Moesia Superior between 58-c.300 CE.
Regimental Details
- Creation Date:
- 65 BCE Levied by Pompey.
- Reason for creation
- Pompey Levied the Legion in Spain along with the Legio VIII Augusta and Legio IX Hispana in anticipation of the Gallic Wars.
- Dates:
- 65 BCE-c.300’s CE.
- Fortress Bases:
- Tilurium (Gardun, Croatia) Dalmatia (9-c.58 CE)
- Viminacium (Ruins near Kostolec, Serbia) Moesia Superior (c.58-c.300’s CE)
- Titles:
- ‘Legio VII Claudia Pia Fidelis’ Meaning ‘The Seventh Legion Loyal and Faithful to Claudius’ Awarded in 42 CE for opposing the rebel Governor of Dalmatia.
- ‘Pia VI Fidelis VI’ (Six times Faithful and Loyal) and ‘Pia VII Fidelis VII’ meaning ‘Seven times Faithful and Loyal’ were Titles awarded by Gallienus for opposing Postumus.
- Emblems:
- The Bull and the Lion
- Notable Commanders:
- Structure of the Legion:
Chronology
- Early Campaigns:
Campaigned in the Gallic Wars (58-51 BCE)
- 58-51 BCE The Legion fought in almost every Battle in Gaul during the Gallic Wars, along with the Legio VIII Augusta and Legio IX Hispana.
- 58 BCE Battle of the Arar
- 58 BCE Battle of Bibracte
- 58 BCE War against the Suebi
- 57 BCE Battle of the Sabis, and annihilation of the Nervians
- 55 BCE Caesar's Invasion of Germania
- 55 BCE Caesar's First Invasion of Britannia one of the two Legions involved.
- 54 BCE Caesar's Second Invasion of Britannia one of the 5 Legions involved.
- 53 BCE War against the Eburones
- 52 BCE Battle of Noviodunum
- 52 BCE Battle of Gergovia
- 52 BCE Battle of Alesia
Campaigned in the Great Roman Civil War (49-45 BCE)
- 49 BCE Battle of Ilerda
- 48 BCE Battle of Dyrrhachium
- 48 BCE Battle of Pharsalus
- 46 BCE Campaigned at the Battle of Thapsacus and then Disbanded.
Reconstituted by Octavian (44 BCE)
-
- 43 BCE Battle of Modena
- 42 BCE Battle of Philippi
- 41 BCE Siege of Perugia
- 36 BCE Veterans settled in Nimes (Colonia Julia Septimanorum Beaterrae), in Gallia Narbonensis, which was also known as ‘Septimania’.
- 31 BCE Battle of Actium may have campaigned under Octavian against Mark Anthony.
- Under Octavian Veterans were also settled in Mauretania.
Posting in Dalmatia (9-c.58 CE)
- 9 CE Based at Tilurium (Gardun, Croatia)
- The Legion also shared the Fortress at Burnum (Kistanje, Croatia) with the Legio XI Claudia.
- 42 CE The Governor, Scribonianus, rebelled against Claudius but was opposed by the Seventh and the Eleventh Legions, who were both awarded the Titles ‘Claudia Pia Fidelis’.
Posting in Moesia Superior (c.58-c.300’s CE)
- c.58 CE Although it is not certain, it was probably moved to Viminacium (Ruins near Kostolec, Serbia), where it was definitely based after 101 CE.
The Year of the Four Emperors (69 CE)
- The Seventh supported Otto against Vitellius, who forgave them when he won. However, they then supported Vespasian and were responsible for winning the Second Battle of Cremona in 69 CE, which brought Vespasian to Power.
Dacian Wars (88-106 CE)
- 88-106 CE The Legion campaigned in the Dacian Wars where its Base at Viminacium was used to launch the Invasion from 101 CE onwards.
-
- 116 CE The Legion was sent to suppress a Jewish Rebellion in Cyprus.
- 161-166 CE Campaigned under Lucius Verus against the Parthians.
- 168-180 CE Campaigned in the Marcomannic Wars.
Year of the Five Emperors (193 CE)
- 193 CE After the Assassination of Pertinax, the Legion supported Septimius Severus as Emperor.
- Campaigned against the Parthians in one of the three Wars between 216-244 CE.
- 268 CE Supported Gallienus against Postumus and his breakaway Gallic Empire.
Conclusion
- The Notitia Dignitatum (c.400 CE) does not mention the Seventh, therefore it must have been Disbanded or lost during the Fourth Century CE.
- The other Legion in Moesia Superior, the Legio IIII Flavia Felix also disappears from the record at the same time.
Viminacium, Kostolec, Serbia