Legio XX Valeria Victrix

• The Legio XX Valeria Victrix was founded by Octavian in c.31 BCE.
• It was based in Chester in Britannia between 88-c.408 CE.

Regimental Details

• Creation:
  • c.31 BCE by Octavian.
• Dates:
  • 31 BCE-c.408 CE
• Fortress Bases:
  • Cologne (Colonia Claudia) Germania Inferior (c.9-43 CE)
  • Neuss (Novaesium) Germania Inferior (c.9-43 CE)
  • Gloucester (Glevum) Britannia (c.66 CE)
  • Wroxeter (Viroconium Cornoviorum) Britannia (75 CE)
  • Chester (Deva Victrix), Britannia (88-c.408 CE)
• Title:
  • ‘Victrix Valeria’ meaning ‘Victory in Valeria’ in Illyricum, during the Marcomannic Wars.
• Emblems:
  • The Boar
• Notable Commanders:
• Structure of the Legion:
  • Roman Legion
  • Roman Army
  • Roman Weapons

Chronology

Early Campaigns:

• 25-13 BCE Hispania Tarraconensis: Campaigned in the Cantabrian Wars.
• 6 CE Illyricum: Campaigned against the Marcomanni.
• 6-9 CE Great Illyrian Revolt Campaigned in this difficult War.

Posting in Germania Inferior (9-43 CE)

• 9 CE Moved to Cologne (Colonia Claudia ara Agrippinensium) to replace the Legions lost at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.
• Then moved to Neuss (Novaesium).

Posting in Britannia (43-c.408 CE)

Roman Conquest of Britannia (43 CE)

• 43 CE One of the 4 Legions employed in the invasion of Britannia: Legio II Augusta, Legio IX Hispana, Legio XIV Gemina, Legio XX Valeria Victrix.

Boudicca's Revolt (60 CE)

• 60 CE The Legion was taken to Anglesey to fight against the Druids under the Roman Governor Paulinus.
• When Boudicca’s Revolt broke out, Paulinus brought the Legion back to Watling Street.
• He went to London wit a light force then rejoined his Legion of 5,000 men and united with the Legio XIV Gemina, to confront Boudicca at the Battle of Watling Street.
• 66 CE The Legion moved to Chester (Deva Victrix).
• 78-84 CE Used in Agricola’s Campaigns in Scotland and built Inchtuthil Legionary Fortress.
• 88 CE Moved back to Chester (Deva Victrix) and remained there.
• 122-128 CE Assisted in the construction of Hadrian's Wall.
• 139-142 CE Later assisted with the construction of the The Antonine Wall and manned it until 155 CE.
• 155 CE Revolt of the Brigantes, caused a withdrawal back to Hadrian's Wall.
• 195 CE Clodius Albinus was proclaimed by all 3 Legions in Britannia as the Roman Emperor and taken to Gaul. He was defeated by Septimius Severus at the Battle of Lugdunum and all 3 Legions were returned to Britannia.
• 208-211 CE Fought in  Septimius Severus' Caledonian Campaign in Scotland, with the Legio II Augusta and the Legio VI Victrix.

Carausian Revolt (287-293 CE)

• 287-290 CE Carausius proclaimed himself Emperor of Britannia and Gaul.
• 290-293 CE he was replaced by Allectus.
• 293 CEConstantius I Chlorus invaded Britain and defeated Allectus. The 3 Legions were returned to their Bases with the exception of Legio II Augusta which dismantled its Base and disappeared from the record.

Conclusion

• In 407-8 CE Constantine III declared himself Emperor and took the Legio XX Valeria Victrix and the Legio VI Victrix to Trier to campaign against the Germanic invasions in Gaul.
• The western Emperor Honorius had him executed in 411 CE and the Legions never returned.

Chester, Britain