Names of Roman Legions

Legion Origin of Name and Particulars

Emperor at
time of
Creation
Legio I
Germanica
Province where it gained distinction under Tiberius. Took part in the
war against Sextus Pompeius. May have been raised by Caesar.
Fought in Spain suffering heavy defeat and was reconstituted by
Tiberius and served on the Rhine. Emblem unknown.
Pre-Augustan
I Adiutrix pia
fidelis
Raised from marines of the fleet to supplement legionary strength. Nero
I Italica Raised in Italy. All recruits were Italian and at least six feet tall. Nero
I Macriana
Raised by Clodius Macer. Disbanded after the death of Nero but
commissioned again under Vitellius and disappeared after his death.
Nero
I Flavia
Minervia
After Minerva. Was favored by Domitian for its loyalty. Domitian
II Adiutrix pia
fidelis
Raised from sailors to supplement legionary strength Vespasian
II Augusta
Raised by Augustus and carried the Capricorn and Pegasus as its
emblem. Probably formed after Philippi. Served in Spain until
approximately 10 A.D. when it moved to Germany. Moved to Britain
in 43 A.D.
Augustan
II Italica pia Raised in Italy
M. Aurelius in
165
II Traiana fortis Strong raised by Trajan Trajan
III Augusta pia
fidelis
Formed by Augustus. Emblems are uncertain but may have been the
Pegasus. Formed by Octavian and may have fought at Philippi.
Served in Africa.
Augustan
III Cyrenacia
Province where it gained distinction. Its origin is obscure. May have
been part of Lepidus army or fought in Cyrene. Emblem unknown.
Pre-Augustan
III Gallica
From the veterans of Caesars Gallic legions. Had the Bull as its
emblem. Served under Antony. May have originated under Caesar as
the XV legion. Served in Gaul.
Pre-Augustan
III Italica
concors
United raised in Italy
M. Aurelius in
165
IV Flavia firma Steadfast raised by Vespasian
Vespasian in
70 A.D.
IV Macedonia
Province where it gained distinction. Carried the Bull and the
Capricorn as its emblem. Probably formed by Caesar and may have
fought at Munda. Under Augustus it served in Spain. From 43-69
served on Rhine frontier. Disbanded in 69 A.D. but reconstituted in
70A.D. as IV Flavia Felix.
Augustan
IV Scythica
Region where it gained distinction. Origin is unknown. May have
fought with Crassus 29-27 B.C. Carried the Capricorn as its emblem.
Pre-Augustan
V Alaudae
The Lark Created by Caesar and its name is taken from the Celtic
word for the crested lark, which also means the great. Carried the
Elephant as its emblem. Served in Gaul, Spain, Africa, and the Rhine
frontier.
Pre-Augustan
V Macedonia
Province where it gained distinction. May have fought at Philippi or
was garrisoned in Macedonia before moving to Moesia. Carried
emblems of the bull and the eagle. Served in Macedonia until 6 A.D.
when moved to Moesia.
Pre-Augustan
VI Ferrata
fidelis
constans
Iron-sides Dates back to Caesars sixth legion. Carried the wolf and
twins as its emblem. Served in Syria from 30 A.D. onwards.
Pre-Augustan
VI Victrix
Victorious given after an outstanding victory. Was also known as
Hispania from its service in Spain. Carried the bull emblem and
fought for Octavian at Perusia.
Pre-Augustan


VII Macedonia
Claudia pia
fidelis


For its loyalty to Claudius in 42 A.D. Carried the bull as its emblem.
Served in Macedonia and then Dalmatia from 9 A.D. onwards.


Pre-Augustan
VII Gemina
One legion made from two. (Originally had the title of Galbiana, but
suffered serious losses at Cremona). Had the Bull as its emblem.
Galba
VIII Augusta
Reconstituted by Augustus. Had the Bull as its emblem. Caesarian in
origin but reconstituted by Augustus. Served in Pannonia.
Augustan
IX Hispania
Province where it gained distinction Carried Neptune as its emblem.
Originated under Caesar but reconstituted by Octavian. Served in
Spain but moved to Pannonia in 6 A.D.
Pre-Augustan
X Fretensis
From the naval war between Octavian and Sextus Pompeius. Carried
the bull, dolphin and a trireme as its emblem, and also the boar.
Served in Syria after 6 A.D.
Pre-Augustan
X Gemina
One legion made from two. Had the bull as its emblem. Origin
unknown. Believed to have served in Spain from 30 A.D. onwards.
Pre-Augustan
XI Claudia pia
fidelis
For its loyalty to Claudius in 42 A.D during the revolt of Scribonianus.
The legion may have come from Caesars XI legion. Held the title of
Actiacus under Augustus and may have fought at Actium. Served in
Dalmatia 9 A.D. onwards. Carried Neptune as its emblem.
Pre-Augustan
XII Fulminata
Lightning- hurler probably gained title under Caesar. Served in
Egypt and then Syria after Augustus. Carried the thunderbolt as its
emblem.
Pre-Augustan
XIII Gemina
pia fidelis
One legion made from two. Carried the lion as its emblem. Served in
Illyricum and Upper Germany after 9 A.D.
Augustan
XIV Gemina
Martia Victrix
One legion made from two. The title Martia Victrix was gained after
60 A.D. for its part in the defeat of Boudica. Carried the Capricorn as
its emblem. May have served in Illyricum, Gaul, or Germany before
Varian disaster. After 70 A.D. served on Rhine frontier.
Augustan
XV Apollinaris
After the god Apollo. Served in Illyricum but moved to Pannonia
towards end of Augustus reign and Cappadocia after 72 A.D.
Emblem unknown.
Augustan
XV Primigenia After Firtuna Primagenia. Created for the invasion of Britain
Caligula or
Claudius
XVI Flavia
firma
Raised by Vespasian. Carried the lion as its emblem. Probably
served in Germany.
Vespasian in
70 A.D.
XVI Gallica
Province where it gained distinction, possibly under Drusus. Served
in Cappadocia after 70 A.D. Carried the lion as its emblem.
Augustan
XX Valeria
Victrix
Valerius Messalinus. Victrix given after its part in the defeat of
Boudica in 60 A.D. The legions emblem was the boar. Served in
Illyricum, the lower Danube, and Germany, and in Britain from 43
A.D. onwards.
Augustan
XXI Rapax
Greedy in the sense of sweeping all before it. Carried the
Capricorn as its emblem. After Pannonian revolt was moved to
Vetera. Before that, probably garrisoned Vindelicia.
Augustan
XXII
Deiotariana
Raised by Deiotarus Two Galation units formed and later combined
into one regular legion. Originally one of Deiotarus legions that
fought with Caesar against Pharnaces. Amyntas bequeathed his
kingdom to Augustus in 25 B.C. and the legion was formed out of his
troops. Stationed in Egypt 25 A.D. onwards. Emblem unknown.
Augustan
XXII
Primigenia pia
fidelis
After Firtuna Primigenia
Caligula or
Claudius
XXX Ulpia
Victrix
Raised by Trajan and called victorious after the Dacian campaign Trajan