A List of the Legions of the Roman Empire

Foundation:
Probably 48 BC by Julius Caesar. Raised in Italia. Also possibly raised by the Consul Pansa in 43 BC to aid Octavian against Antonius.
The emblem was likely the bull as this was the emblem of all the Caesarian legions.

Permanent Bases:
I. 9 AD Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne, Germany)
II. 28 AD Bonna (Bonn, Germany)

Events:
48 BC: Possible campaigns with Caesar in the civil war include the battles of Dyrrachium and Pharsulus, but there is no solid complete evidence for this.
46 - 45 BC: Hispania: possible engagements against the holdout armies of Pompeius, including the battle of Munda.
43 - 42 BC: Possibly the Battles of Mutina (43 BC) and Phillippi in Italia (42 BC) with Octavian against Antonius.
38 - 36 BC: Campaigns against Sextus Pompeius, mainly in Sicilia.
25 - 13 BC: Hispania, campaign against the Cantabrians. At some point between the Pompeius and the Cantabrian campaigns it earned the cognoment Augusta but was stripped of it due to disloyal and minor mutinous behavior.
9 - 69 AD: Germania. During its time in Germania it earned the cognoment Germania under either Drusus or Germanicus.
69 AD: Supported Vitellius in his revolt against Galba and was later defeated by Vespanian. The legion was disbanded and never reconstituted at this point.

Foundation:
Recruited from sailors at Misenum by Nero starting in 66 AD, but Nero died before formal acceptance. Formally established by Galba in 69 AD.
Its standard was the Capricorn.

Permanent Bases:
I. 70 - 86 AD: Moguntiacum, Germania (Mainz, Germany)
II. 86 - 100? AD: Brigetio, Pannonia (Szhony, Hungary)
III. 100? - 108 AD: Apulum, Dacia (Alba Iulia, Romania)
IV. 108 - 440 AD: Brigetio, Pannonia (Szhony, Hungary)

Events:
69 AD: Battle of Bedriacum (Civil War in support of Otho).
86 - 90 AD: Dacian/Sarmatian campaigns.
96 AD: Earned the name Pia Fidelis from Trajan for forcing Nerva to adopt him as Caesar.
101 - 106 AD: Dacian wars.
113 - 117 AD: Parthian campaign.
166 - 180 AD: Marcommanic wars.
193 - 195 AD: Civil war in support of Septimius Severus.
215 - 217 AD: Parthian campaign.
236 - 237 AD: Dacian War.
244 AD: Persian War.
259 AD: Defense of Italy against Alemanni.

Foundation:
Recruited by Nero in 66 AD for his planned expedition against the Albani tribe along the Caspian Sea, which never took place.
Its standard was the boar.

Permanent Bases:
I. 68 - 69 AD: Lugdunum, Gaul (Lyon, France)
II. 69 - 5th Century AD: Novae (near Svishtov, Bulgaria)

Events:
69 AD: First and second battles of Bedriacum (civil war, supporting Vitellius).
86 - 90 AD: Dacian-Sarmatian campaigns.
101 - 106 AD: Dacian wars.
166 - 180 AD: Marcommanic wars.
190's AD: Built the Limes Transalutanus fortifications along the Danube and Olt rivers.

Foundation:
Formed by Lucious Clodius Macer, rebellious Governor of Africa, in 68 AD, to be used against Nero.

Events:
69 AD: Galba, distrustful of Macer and his new legion, ordered the death of the Legions commander and for it to be disbanded.

Foundation:
Formed by Domitian in 82 or 83 AD, and named for his favorite goddess, Minerva.
Its standard was either the likeness of Minerva or a Ram, her zodiac sign.

Permanent Bases:
I. 83 - 5th Century AD: Bonna (Bonn, Germany)
II. Subunits served various stations all over Germania. During the reign of Septimius Severus (193 - 211), subunits garrisoned Lugdunum, Gaul (Lyon, France).

Events:
89 AD: Supported Domitian against the rebellion of Saturninus in Germania earning the name Flavia Pia Fidelis. Flavia, the family name of Domitian was dropped after his death in 96 AD.
101 - 106 AD: Fought in Trajan's Dacian wars, the later part of which was under the direct command of the future Emperor Hadrian.
162 - 166 AD: Served in Lucius Verus' Parthian campaigns.
193 - 195 AD: Supported Septimius Severus in the civil war.
260 - 274 AD: Served the breakaway Gallic empire.
351 - 353 AD: Defeated by the Franks and Bonna destroyed, but returned a few years later, remaining until the 5th century.

Foundation:
Founded in 197 AD by Septimius Severus for his campaign against the Parthians.

Permanent Bases:
I. 197 - 360 AD: Singara, Mesopotamia (Sinjar).
II. 360 - 5th Cent. AD: Nsibis, Mesopotamia.

Events:
197 - 198 AD: Parthian Campaign.

Foundation:
Possible recruitment as early as 67 by Nero, but formally accepted by Vespasian in 70 AD.
Recruited from marines stationed in Ravenna.
Its standard was the capricorn and the pegasus.

Permanent Bases:
I. 71 - 77? AD: Lindum, Brittania (Lincoln)
II. 77? - 87 AD: Deva, Britannia (Chester)
III. 87 - 102 AD: Acumincum or Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica), Pannonia
IV. 102 - 106 AD: Singidunum (Belgrade), Dacia
V. 106 - 5th C.: Aquincum (Budapest), Pannonia

Events:
70 AD: Suppressed the Batavian revolt of Julius Civilis at the battle of Xanten.
71 - 87 AD: In Britain, suppressed the Brigantes revolt under Venutius, and defeated the Ordivices including the occupation of the Isle of Mona (Anglesey).
102 - 106 AD: Fought in Trajan's Dacian campaigns.
117 - 136 AD: Various construction projects in Pannonia druing the reign of Hadrian including the road from Singidunum (Belgrade) to Aquincum (Budapest).
162 - 166 AD: Active in Lucius Verus' Parthian campaigns.
171 - 173 AD: Involved in Marcus Aurelius' Marcomanni wars and sustained heavy losses requiring reinforcements from Legio III in Africa.
193 - 195 AD: Supported Septimius Severus in the civil war.
238 AD: Likely fought with Gordian III against the Sassanids.
269 AD: Also likely campaigned with Claudius II against the Goths.

Foundation:
Likely formed by Consul Gaius Vibius Pansa and Octavian in 43 BC.
Its standard was the capricorn and later awarded the pegasus under Vespasian.

Permanent Bases:
I. 25 - 13 BC: Hispania Tarraconensis (Spain), possibly Colonia Acci which the legion built.
II. 9 - 17 AD: Moguntiacum, Germania (Mainz, Germany)
III. 17 - 43 AD: Argentoratum, Germania (Strasbourg, Germany)
IV. 48 - 74? AD: Isca Dumnoniorum, Britannia (Exeter)
V. 74 - 139? AD: Isca Silurum, Britannia (Caerleon, Wales)

Events:
43 - 41 BC: Civil war in support of Octavian, fought against Antonian forces at Phillipi and Perugia.
25 - 13 BC: In Hispania fighting the Cantabrians and Asturians.
14 - 16 AD: Served under Germanicus in his Germanian campaigns.
43 AD: Invasion of Britannia under Claudius.
69 AD: Civil War in support of Vitellius, after defeated by Vespasian the legion was returned to Britain.
122 - 128 AD: Vexillations helped build Hadrian's Wall.
139 - 142 AD: Built the Antonine Wall.
155 - 158 AD: Widespread revolt in Britannia caused significant casualties requiring reinforcement from Legions in Germania.
196 AD: In support of Clodius Albinus were defeated by Septimius Severus in the civil war.
208 AD: Invasion of Caledonia (Scotland) under Severus.
407? AD: The final defense of Britain at Rutupiae (Richborough) and the withdrawal from Britannia.

Foundation:
Founded in 165 or 166 AD by Marcus Aurelius for use in his campaigns against the Germanian Marcomanni tribe.
Its emblem was the she-wolf with the legendary founding brothers of Rome. Remus and Romulus. Perhaps this symbol was an indication of it being founded while both Marcus Aurelius and his brother Lucius Verus were co-emperors.

Permanent Bases:
I. 180 - 5th century AD: Lauriacum, Noricum (Lorch, Switzerland)

Events:
166 - 180 AD: Active in Marcus Aurelius Marcomannii campaigns and the securing of Noricum and Raetia provinces.
193 AD: Supported Septimius Severus in the civil war.
236 - 237 AD: Active in the Dacian Wars of Maximinus.
269 AD: Likely active with Clodius against the Goths.
300? AD: During the reign of Diocletian a sub-unit was transfered and established a base at Divitia (Deutz) near Cologne. It eventually became an independent legion, II Italica Divitensium, and was active in Constantine's march on Rome and the battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD.

Foundation:
Founded in 197 AD by Septimius Severus for his campaign against the Parthians.
Its standard was the Centaur.

Permanent Bases:
I. 202? AD: Albanum, Italia (near Rome)

Events:
197 - 198 AD: Parthian Campaign.
202 AD: Became the first permanent (non-Praetorian) legion to be stationed in Italia. It not only policed central Italia but acted as a strategic reserve to fill in the gaps when other legions were active in various campaigns.
208 - 211 AD: Britannian/Caledonian campaign of Septimius Severus.
213 AD: Served with Caracalla vs. the Alamanni.
214 - 214 AD: Active in the Parthian campaigns.
231 AD: Fought the Sassanids under Alexander Severus.
234 - 235 AD: Campaign against the Germanic Alamanni.
235 - 238 AD: Supported Maximinus vs. the Sarmatians in Pannonia and against a Senate revolt in Italia.
242 - 244 AD: Persian War.
Second half of the 3rd Century AD: Various assignments throughout the empire including Gallia, Palmyra, Thracia, Numidia and Cilicia.
312 AD: Served with Maxentius against Constantine and was likely disbanded after being defeated at the Milvian Bridge.
4th Century AD: A legion with the same name was stationed at Bezabde (Cizre), on the Tigris. After its failing to stop the Persians from capturing Bezsabde in 360 AD, II Parthica disappears from recorded history.

Foundation:
Founded in 105 AD by Trajan, needing reinforcements for his Dacian campaigns.
The standard was the demi-god Hercules.

Permanent Bases:
I. 125 - 5th Century AD: Alexandria, Aegyptus.

Events:
105 - 106 AD: Trajan's Dacians campaigns, and was likely garrisoned on the Danube prior to transfer to Egypt.
115 - 117 AD: Parthian campaigns.
117 - 125 AD: Stationed in Judaea to quell Jewish resistance.
132 - 136 AD: Vexillations served with Hadrian against the Jews.
194 AD: Originally supporting Pescennius Niger against Septimius Severus, it switched sides and helped swing the course of history in Severus' favor.
213 AD: Fought with Caracalla against the Alamanni and seemed to have at least temporarily gained the cognomen Germanica.
260 - 268 AD: In the civil war vs. the breakaway Gallic empire, it served Gallienus against Posthumus but eventually was returned to Egypt when Aurelian re-conquered Gallia.
298 AD: Fought the Moors in Mauretania.
Remained in Egypt until the 5th Century AD stationed in such towns as Panospolis, Thebes, Syene and Pselchis. Its final known garrison being on the southern frontier guarding the Meroitic kingdom of Nubia.

Foundation:
Recruited by Octavian and likely by Consul Gaius Vibius Pansa in 43 BC.
Its emblem was the Pegasus.

Permanent Bases:
I. 30 BC - 75? AD: Ammaedara, Africa.
II. 75? - 98? AD: Theveste, Africa.
III. 98? - 5th cent. AD: Lambaesis, Africa.

Events:
43 - 36 BC: Supported Octavian (Augustus) against Antonius in the Civil war and may have been present and Philippi. Campaigned against Sextus Pompeius in Sicilia.
17 - 24 AD: Fought against Mauretanian and Numidian tribes organized under Tacfarinas.
18 AD: Legatus Lucius Apronius subjected III Augusta to decimation (the killing of every tenth soldier by their fellow legionaries) after a defeat to Tacfarinas.
69 AD: Under African Governor Clodius Macer, and with Legio I Macriana Liberatrix, revolted against Nero in favor of Galba. Galba disbanded Legio I and Legio III saw no action in the civil war that eventually saw Vespasian take the throne.
138 - 161 AD: During the reign of Antoninus Pius, III Augusta was involved in a lengthy ongoing war with Berber tribes.
193 AD: Awarded the title Pia Vindex (Faithful avenger) by Severus for supporting his claim to the purple. Severus oversaw the construction of a series of desert fortifications to control the Berbers.
238 AD: Active against Gordian I and Gordian II in a bid for the throne. Gordian III, winning the civil war, disbanded the legion as punishment.
253 AD: Reconstituted by Valerian and awarded the title Iterum Pia Iterum Vindex (Again faithful, again avenger).
253 - 260 AD: Fought against the "5 peoples" federation of Berber tribes.
289 - 297 AD: Under the command of Maximianus again campaigned against the Berbers.
Maintained Roman presence in North Africa through the 5th century.

Foundation:
Likely formed by Marcus Aemilius Lepidus or Marcus Antonius between 43 and 31 BC, as both men served as Governor of the province between those years.
Possibly given the name Cyrenaica later as an award for service in the African province.
The standard is unknown.

Permanent Bases:
I. 30 BC - 7? AD: Possibly Thebes, Aegyptus.
II. 7? - 106 AD: Alexandria, Aegyptus.
III. 106 - 119 AD: Bostra, Arabia.
IV. 119 - 125 AD: Alexandria, Aegyptus.
V. 125 - 5th Cent. AD: Bostra, Arabia.

Events:
26 - 25 BC: Vexillations involved in the Arabia Felix (Yemen), invasion.
24 BC: Repulsed the Nubian invasion of Egypt.
66 - 70 AD: War against the Jews and the siege of Jerusalem.
132 - 136 AD: Likely involved in suppressing the Jewish revolt in Judaea.
197 - 198 AD: Possibly involved in the Parthian campaigns.
215- 217 AD: Fought the Parthians in Caracalla's campaigns.
260 - 272 AD: Upon the capture and death of Valerian, the eastern provinces became independent. Palmyran Emperor Odenaethus and his wife Zenobia launched an invasion of Persia. The Emperor Aurelian eventually reconquered Palmyra and sent Legio III Cyrenaica back to Egypt.

Foundation:
Founded by Julius Caesar in 49 or 48 BC, recruited for his effort against Pompeius Magnus and the Republicans.
Its standard was the bull.

Permanent Bases:
I. 58 - 66 AD: Ziata, Armenia.
II. 66 - 70 AD: Oescus, Moesia.
III. 70? - 219 AD: Raphanaea, Syria.
IV. 222? - 4th Century AD: Near Damascus, Syria.

Events:
48 BC: Battles of Dyrrhachium and Pharsalus.
45 BC: Battle of Munda.
42 BC: With Marcus Antonius fought the Republicans at Philippi.
41 BC: Retired veterans besieged and surrendered to Octavian at Perugia.
36 BC: Involved in Marcus Antonius Parthian campaign. Possibly saved the entire army through hard fighting during retreat.
20 BC: Under the command of Tiberius, retrieved the lost standards of Marcus Crassus from the Parthians that were captured in 53 BC.
58 AD: War in Armenia vs. the Parthians.
132 - 136 AD: Suppressed the Jewish revolt and besieged Jerusalem.
161 - 166 AD: Parthian campaigns of Lucius Verus.
197 - 198 AD: Likely involved in Severus' Parthian campaigns.
219 AD: Legio II revolted and was disbanded by Heliogabalus.
222 AD: Reconstituted by Severus Alexander.
Disappears from recorded history in about 320 AD.

Foundation:
Founded by Marcus Aurlelius in 165 or 166 AD for his wars against the Germanic Marcomanni.
Its emblem was the stork.

Permanent Bases:
I. 171 - 5th century AD: Regina Castra, Raetia (Regensburg, Germany)
Also active throughout the province of Raetia including Augusta Vindelicum (Augsburg, Germany)
II. 5th Century AD: with the collapse of the Danube frontier, was transferred to Illyricum.

Events:
166 - 180 AD: Responsible for securing Raetia and Noricum during M. Aurelius' Marcomanni campaigns.
213 AD: Caracalla's Alamanni campaign.
260 AD: Likely overrun by Germanic invaders who were in turn defeated by local militia. The Legion was reinforced, however.
273 AD: Campaigned with Aurelian against the breakaway Palmyric empire.
End of the 4th century AD: Divided into 6 vexillations responsible for guarding river passes against Germanic invaders in Illyricum. Was the twin legion of Legio III Herculia.

Foundation:
Founded in 197 AD by Septimius Severus for his campaign against the Parthians.

Permanent Bases:
I. Rhesaena, Mesopotamia

Events:
197 - 198 AD: Parthian Campaign of Severus.
Likely involved in the later eastern campaigns of Caracalla, Alexander Severus, Gordian, Philip and Valerian.

Foundation:
Reconstituted by Vespasian from IV Macedonica which was disgraced and disbanded during the Batavian revolt in 69 to 70 AD.
Gnaeus Julius Agricola (father-in-law of Tacitus) oversaw its reconstition.
Its symbol was the lion.

Permanent Bases:
I. 70? - 86 AD: Burnum, Dalmatia. (Kistanje)
II. 86-101/102 AD: Upper Moesia at Singidunum.
III. 102 - 117? AD: Dacia at Sarmizegethusa (Colonia Ulpia Traiana)
IV. 117? - late 4th Cent. AD: - Singidunum (Belgrade), Dacia.

Events:
102 - 106 AD: Fought in Trajan's Dacian campaigns.
138 - 161 AD: During the reign of Antoninus Pius, subunits sent to Mauretania to fight against the Moors.
166 - 180 AD: Marcus Aurelius' Marcommanic wars.

Foundation:
Founded by Caesar in 48 BC for the Civil War against Pompey.
Its symbol was the bull.

Foundation:
Founded by Marcus Antonius (Antony) after 42 BC. Possibly formed to be used in Antony's Parthian campaign or against nomadic Scythian incursions.
Its emblem was the Capricorn.

Foundation:
Founded by Caesar in Transalpine Gaul in 52 BC (The first legion recruited outside Italy)
Its symbol was the elephant.

Foundation:
Recruited in 43 BC by Consul Caius Vibius Pansa and Octavian.
Its symbol was the bull, but seemed to use the eagle as well.

Foundation:
Founded by Caesar in 52 BC in Cisalpine Gaul.
Its symbol was the bull.

Foundation:
Founded by Octavian in 41 BC, possibly from retired veterans of Caesar's legions.
Like most Caesarean legions, its emblem was likely a bull.

Foundation:
Founded prior to 59 BC, likely as a Consular Legion. Was inherited by Caesar as governor of Gallia in 58 BC.
Its symbol was the bull.

Foundation:
Founded by Servius Sulpicius Galba as Governor of Hispania in 68 AD. Recruited for his march on Rome after the death of Nero.
Its emblem is unknown.

Foundation:
Founded prior to 59 BC, likely as a Consular Legion. Was inherited by Caesar as governor of Gallia in 58 BC.
Its symbol was the bull.

Foundation:
Founded prior to 59 BC, likely as a Consular Legion. Was inherited by Caesar as governor of Gallia in 58 BC.
Its symbol is unknown, but likely was the bull.

Foundation:
Founded in 41 BC by Octavian to be used in Sicily against Sextus Pompey.
The standards of this legion were the bull, warship, dolphin and boar. Later, however (3rd Cent.) only the bull was used.

Foundation:
Founded prior to 59 BC, likely as a Consular Legion. Was inherited by Caesar as governor of Gallia in 58 BC.
Its symbol was the bull.

Foundation:
Likely founded by Caesar in 58 BC for his campaign against the Helvetians. Later reconstituted by Lepidus and Antony in 43 BC.
Its symbol may have been a bull but there is evidence of the thunderbolt.

Foundation:
Formed by Caesar in 57 BC before his invasion of Belgica. Reconstituted by Octavian in 41 BC.
Its standard was the lion.

Foundation:
Formed by Caesar in 57 BC before his invasion of Belgica. Reconstituted by Octavian in 41 BC.
Its standard was the capricorn.

Foundation:
Possibly formed by Caesar in 53 BC, but more likely founded by Octavian in 41 BC to be used against Sextus Pompeius in Sicily.
The symbol is unknown but may have been the god Apollo.

Foundation:
Founded by Gaius (Caligula) in 39 AD for his campaigns in Germania along with its twin legion XXII Primigenia.

Foundation:
Founded in 41 BC by Octavian to be used in Sicily against Sextus Pompey.
Its emblem was the lion.

Foundation:
Reconstituted by Vespasian in 70 AD from XVI Gallica which was disgraced and disbanded during the Batavian revolt in 69 to 70 AD.
Its standard was the lion.

Foundation:
Possibly reconstituted from Marcus Antonius' (Antony) XVII Classica (Naval) but more likely founded by Octavian in 41 BC.
Its standard is unknown.

Foundation:
Possibly reconstituted from Marcus Antonius' (Antony) XVIII Libyca but more likely founded by Octavian in 41 BC.
Its emblem is unknown.

Foundation:
Founded in 41 BC by Octavian to be used in Sicily against Sextus Pompey.
Its standard is unknown.

Foundation:
Formed by Augustus, likely after the Battle of Actium (31 BC) possibly incorporating veterans of other legions.
Its symbol was the boar.

Foundation:
Formed by Augustus, likely after the Battle of Actium (31 BC) possibly incorporating veterans of other legions.
Its emblem was the Capricorn.

Foundation:
Founded in 48 BC by the Allied client King of Galatia, Deiotarus based on the Roman model. Incorporated in to the Legions by Augustus in 25 BC.
Its symbol is unknown.

Foundation:
Founded by Gaius (Caligula) in 39 AD for his campaigns in Germania along with its twin legion XV Primigenia.
Its emblems were Hercules and the capricorn.