Legio XII Fulminata

  • The Legio XII Fulminata, also called the ‘Legio Fulminatrix’, was founded by Julius Caesar in 58 BCE.
  • It was based at Melitene in Cappadocia between 70-c.400 CE.

Regimental Details

  • Creation Date:
  • Reason for creation:
  • Dates:
    • 58 BCE-c.400 CE.
  • Fortress Bases:
    • Raphanae (14-70 CE( (possibly as early as 30 BCE)
    • Melitene (70-c. 400 CE)
  • Title:
    • ‘Fulminata’ meaning ‘The Twelth Legion armed with Lightning’.
    • Also called ‘Legio Fulminatrix’ meaning ‘The Thundering Legion’.
    • ‘Certa Constans’ meaning ‘Reliably Constant’, was awarded for remaining loyal to the Roman Emperor in 175 CE.
  • Emblems:
    • The Thunderbolt, probably, or the Bull, but this cannot be confirmed.
  • Notable Commanders:
  • Structure of the Legion:

Chronology

Early Campaigns:

Posting in Syria (30 BCE-70 CE)

  • Based in Syria, the Legion campaigned under Mark Anthony against the Parthian Empire.
  • 31 BCE After occupying Egypt in the wake of the Battle of Actium it returned to Syria, probably Raphanae.
  • 4 BCE Possibly used by the Varus, Governor of Syria, to suppress a Rebellion in Judaea.
  • 14 CE Known to have been based at Raphanae.
  • 58-9 CE Campaigned under Corbulo, against the Parthian Client King of Armenia, capturing Artaxata (Yerevan) and Tigranocerta, placing Tigranes as the new Roman Client King. The Parthians then replaced him with their own Client King, Tiridates.

The Legion is Disgraced twice (62 and 66 CE)

  • 62 CE The Governor of Cappadocia campaigned in Armenia using the Legio XII Fulminata and the Legio IIII Scythica but they were forced to surrender at Rhandeia, and disgraced.
  • 66 CE October, The Governor of Judea required extra Legions to regain Jerusalem from the Jewish Zealots. The Commander took the Legio XII Fulminata and units from other Legions, and went to Judaea, but realised he was outnumbered and returned to Syria. As he was returning the legion was defeated and lost its standard.
  • Finally, under General Vespasian, the legion recaptured Jerusalem, and regained its former glory.

Posting in Cappadocia (70-c.400 CE)

  • 70 CE Moved to Melitene, recently added to the Province of Cappadocia, with the Legio XVI Flavia Firma.
  • 260 CE The Legion was under the command of the King of Palmyra, Odaenathus. After his assassination it must have been used by Queen Zenobia to create and defend the Palmyrene Empire.
  • 92 CE The Legion campaigned in support of the Client Kings of Albania and Iberia in the Caucasus reaching the Caspian Sea.
  • 114 CE Probably campaigned under Trajan in the successful capture of Armenia.
  • 118 CE Hadrian relinquished all of Trajan‘s conquests in the East, as too difficult to hold.
  • 134 CE Along with the Legio XV Apollinaris the legion defeated an invasion by the Alans, under the Governor of Cappadocia, Arrian of Nicomedia.
  • 162-66 CE Probably campaigned under the co-Emperor Lucius Verus against the Parthian Empire. Artaxata (Yerevan) the Capital of Armenia was occupied by the Legion during this period.
  • 175 CE The Commander of the East, Avidius Cassius, revolted against Marcus Aurelius, but the Legion refused to join and afterwards was awarded the Title ‘Certa Constans’ meaning ‘Loyal and Constant’.
  • 193 CE During the Year of the Six Emperors, the Legion supported the Governor of Syria, Pescennius Niger, but he was defeated by Septimius Severus and the Legion was held in disfavour.
  • Septimius Severus then advanced the border with Parthia from the Euphrates to the Tigris. This meant both the Legio XII Fulminata and the Legio XVI Flavia Firma were no longer on the front line.
  • 217 CE Probably used in the Campaign against the Parthians under Caracalla.

The Rise of the Sassanian Empire (224-651 CE)

  • 230-244 CE Involved in defending against the Sassanian Invasion of 230 CE and subsequently campaigned into their territory under Severus Alexander and Gordian III resulting in Phillip the Arab being made Roman Emperor by the Sassanians.
  • 256 CE The Fort at Satala and the Legio XV Apollinaris were captured by Shapur I.
  • 258 CE Shapur burnt Trapezus.
  • 260 CE Valerian campaigned against him, but he and his troops were captured at the Battle of Edessa.

The Palmyrene Empire (260-274 CE)

  • 261-7 CE Odeanathus of Palmyra, who controlled the Eastern Legions repulsed the Persians, and formed the Palmyrene Empire.
  • 268 CE Odeanathus was assassinated, and his wife Queen Zenobia continued to Rule the Palmyrene Empire using the Eastern legions.
  • 274 CE Queen Zenobia was defeated by Aurelian, but the Twelth continued to be based at Melitene until the fifth century CE.

Conclusion

  • The Notitia Dignitatum (c.400 CE) shows the Legion as still based at Melitene. It’s fate after this date is unknown.

Melitene, Malatya, Turkey

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