Legio II Augusta: Difference between revisions
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'''Legio secunda Augusta''' ("Augustus' Second Legion") was a [[Roman legion|legion]] of the [[Imperial Roman army]] that was founded during the late [[Roman republic]]. Its emblems were the [[Capricornus]],<ref>Legions and Veterans: Roman Army Papers 1971-2000 |
'''Legio secunda Augusta''' ("Augustus' Second Legion") was a [[Roman legion|legion]] of the [[Imperial Roman army]] that was founded during the late [[Roman republic]]. Its emblems were the [[Capricornus]],<ref>Legions and Veterans: Roman Army Papers 1971-2000 |
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By L. J. F. Keppie page 128</ref> [[Pegasus]],<ref>Legions and Veterans: Roman Army Papers 1971-2000 |
By L. J. F. Keppie page 128</ref> [[Pegasus]],<ref>Legions and Veterans: Roman Army Papers 1971-2000 |
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By L. J. F. Keppie page 129</ref> and [[Mars (mythology)|Mars]]. It may have taken the name "''Augusta''" from a victory or reorganization that occurred during the reign of [[Augustus]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Legio II Augusta|url=https://www.ancient.eu/Legio_II_Augusta/|access-date=2020-08-01|website=Ancient History Encyclopedia}}</ref> |
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By L. J. F. Keppie page 129</ref> and [[Mars (mythology)|Mars]]. |
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[[File:Caerleon plaque2.JPG|thumb|left|One of the emblems used was the [[Capricornus]]]] |
[[File:Caerleon plaque2.JPG|thumb|left|One of the emblems used was the [[Capricornus]]]] |
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=== Hispania === |
=== Hispania === |
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At the beginning of Augustus' rule, in |
At the beginning of Augustus' rule, in 26 BC,<ref name=":1" /> this legion was relocated to a place north of [[Hispania Tarraconensis]], to fight in the [[Cantabrian Wars]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Legio II Augusta - Livius|url=https://www.livius.org/articles/legion/legio-ii-augusta/|access-date=2020-08-01|website=www.livius.org}}</ref> This war would definitively established Roman power in Hispania. While the legion was in Hispania, they along with the Legio I Germanica helped build the Colonia [[Acci]].<ref name=":0" /> They also constructed the city of [[Tennes|Cartenna]].<ref name=":1" /> |
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=== Germania and Gaul === |
=== Germania and Gaul === |
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With the annihilation of several legions at the [[Battle of the Teutoburg Forest]], the Legio II ''Augusta'' moved to [[Germania]], possibly in the area of [[Moguntiacum]]. While in Germania the Legion would participate in the campaigns of [[Germanicus]] against the [[List of ancient Germanic peoples|Germanic tribes]].<ref name=":0" /> After Germanicus was recalled the Legion was stationed at [[Argentoratum|Argentoratun]].<ref name=":0" /> After [[Julius Sacrovir]] and Julius Florus revolted against the Roman Empire in Gaul, the Legio II ''Augusta'' would help put down the revolt.<ref name=":0" /> |
With the annihilation of several legions at the [[Battle of the Teutoburg Forest]], the Legio II ''Augusta'' moved to [[Germania]], possibly in the area of [[Moguntiacum]]. While in Germania, during the 15 AD the Legion would participate in the campaigns of [[Germanicus]] against the [[List of ancient Germanic peoples|Germanic tribes]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />After Germanicus was recalled the Legion was stationed at [[Argentoratum|Argentoratun]].<ref name=":0" /> On its way back from Germania, the legion wad drenched in heavy rain and harrased by heavy storms.<ref name=":1" />After [[Julius Sacrovir]] and Julius Florus revolted against the Roman Empire in Gaul, the Legio II ''Augusta,'' under the command of Gaius Silius would help put down the revolt.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> |
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===[[Roman conquest of Britain|Invasion of Britannia]] and [[Boudica|Boudica's revolt]]=== |
===[[Roman conquest of Britain|Invasion of Britannia]] and [[Boudica|Boudica's revolt]]=== |
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The legion was one of the four legions used during [[Claudius|Claudius's]] invasion of [[Roman Britain|Britannia]].<ref name=":0" /> The commander of the Legion at the time was [[Vespasian]]. He led the campaign against the [[Durotriges]] and [[Dumnonii]] tribes. |
The legion was one of the four legions used during [[Claudius|Claudius's]] invasion of [[Roman Britain|Britannia]].<ref name=":0" /> The commander of the Legion at the time was [[Vespasian]]. He led the campaign against the [[Durotriges]] and [[Dumnonii]] tribes. During the campaign the Legion marched across the south of Britian, fighting many battles against the local tribes.<ref name=":1" /> It captured many British towns. The Legion was first stationed at Silchester. And in 49 AD it was moved to [[Dorchester on Thames|Dorchester]].<ref name=":0" /> Legio II ''Augusta'' proved to be one of the best legions, even after its disgrace during the uprising of queen [[Boudica]], when its ''[[Prefect#Military prefects|praefectus castrorum]]'' [[Poenius Postumus]], who was then its acting commander, most likely because its [[legatus]] and tribunes probably being absent with the governor [[Suetonius Paulinus]], contravened Suetonius' orders to join him and so later committed suicide.<ref name=":0" /> |
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=== [[Year of the Four Emperors|Year of Four Emperors]] === |
=== [[Year of the Four Emperors|Year of Four Emperors]] === |
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During the Year of Four Emperors the Legio II Augusta would side with emperor |
During the Year of Four Emperors a [[Vexillatio|vexhillation]] of the Legio II Augusta would side with emperor Otho.<ref name=":1" /> Later, after Otho was defeated the vexhillation switched sides and served Vitellius.<ref name=":0" /> This vexhillation possibly took part in Vetellius's march on Rome, and fought in the [[Battle of Cremona|battle at Cremona]] against the legions of [[Otho]].<ref name=":0" /> Later, these soldiers were defeated by those of Vespasian, and returned to Britain in 70. It is possible that the main body of the legion had always been loyal towards Vespasian.<ref name=":0" /> |
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=== Continued service in Britain === |
=== Continued service in Britain === |
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[[Julius Frontinus]], the governer of Britain from 74-78 AD ordered several campaigns against the [[Silures]] tribe.<ref name=":1" /> During the war the fortress of Caerleon was constructed. In 75 AD the II Augusta was moved to [[Caerleon]] in [[Wales]].<ref name=":0" /> The Legion would remain there, even during [[Gnaeus Julius Agricola|Agricola's]] term as governor of Britain. Although, several Vexillatio of the Legio II ''Augusta'' would fight in the [[Battle of Mons Graupius]].<ref name=":1" /> Later, in 139 AD the Legion would help in building the short lived [[Antonine Wall]].<ref name=":0" /> During the years 155 and 158 AD a revolt spread across Britian, the Legio II Augusta was one of the Legions that fought against the revolting people of Britannia.<ref name=":0" />The legions in Britain suffered greatly, causing reinforcements from the Germanic provinces to be brought over.<ref name=":0" /> In 196 AD [[Clodius Albinus|Decimus Clodius Albinus]], who was at this time governor of Britain declared himself emperor, the Legio II Augusta supported his claim.<ref name=":0" /> The legions were defeated by the current emperor, [[Septimius Severus|Septimus Severus.]] Although, while the legions were absent from Britain, the province was overrun with [[Picts|Pictish tribes]].<ref name=":0" /> Emperor Severus attempted to conquer Scotland in order to stop the tribes, while Severus was fighting the Picts, Legio II Augusta was stationed at a fort near [[Carpow|Carpow.]]<ref name=":0" /> It is unknown when, but the II Augusta received the surname ''Antonina'', which meant that the soldiers were particularly dear to the emperor. This happened either under [[Caracalla]] or [[Elagabalus|Heliogabalus]]<ref name=":0" />, During [[Severus Alexander|Severus Alexanders]] reign as emperor of Rome, the conquests in Scotland were given up and the Second Legion returned to Caerleon.<ref name=":0" /> The legion was still there in 255. <ref name=":0" />Sometime in the fourth century, [[Kent]] was attacked. The legion participated int the defense of the city.<ref name=":0" /> The last known mention of the Legion was the [[Notitia Dignitatum]]. It places the Legion at [[Richborough]], suggesting Caerleon was abandoned.<ref name=":1" /> |
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===2nd and 3rd centuries=== |
===2nd and 3rd centuries=== |
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In 122, II ''Augusta'' helped to build [[Hadrian's Wall]]. |
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In 142, II ''Augusta'' helped to build the [[Antonine Wall]] and are recorded on [[The Bridgeness Slab]]. |
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In 196, II ''Augusta'' supported the claim for the purple of the governor of Britannia, [[Clodius Albinus]], who was defeated by [[Septimius Severus]]. On the occasion of Severus' Scottish campaign, the Second moved to [[Carpow]], to return to Caerleon under [[Alexander Severus]]. |
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[[File:Stèle-Legio II Augusta-Strasbourg.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Funerary [[stele]] of legionnaire Caius Largennius of the Legio II Augusta, found in [[Strasbourg]] (district of Kœnigshoffen)<br />([[Musée archéologique (Strasbourg)|Musée archéologique de Strasbourg]])]] |
[[File:Stèle-Legio II Augusta-Strasbourg.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Funerary [[stele]] of legionnaire Caius Largennius of the Legio II Augusta, found in [[Strasbourg]] (district of Kœnigshoffen)<br />([[Musée archéologique (Strasbourg)|Musée archéologique de Strasbourg]])]] |
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Revision as of 19:16, 1 August 2020
Legio II Augusta | |
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Active | 43 BC to sometime in the 4th century AD |
Country | Roman Republic and Roman Empire |
Type | Roman legion (Marian) |
Role | Infantry assault (some cavalry support) |
Size | Varied over unit lifetime. Approx. 3,500 fighting men + support at the time of creation. |
Garrison/HQ |
|
Nickname(s) |
|
Patron | Augustus |
Mascot(s) | Capricornus, in its sea-goat form the astrological sign of II Augusta's patron, Augustus |
Engagements |
|
Commanders | |
Notable commanders |
|
Legio secunda Augusta ("Augustus' Second Legion") was a legion of the Imperial Roman army that was founded during the late Roman republic. Its emblems were the Capricornus,[1] Pegasus,[2] and Mars. It may have taken the name "Augusta" from a victory or reorganization that occurred during the reign of Augustus.[3]
In Republican service
The Legio II, Sabina was a Roman military unit of the late Republican era, which may have been formed by Julius Caesar in the year of the consulate of 48 BC and coincide, in this case, with the Legio II. Enlisted to fight against Pompey, they took part in the subsequent Battle of Munda of 45 BC.
Alternatively it could be the Legio II, formed by the consul, Gaius Vibius Pansa in 43 BC and recruited in Sabina, hence its nickname.[4] If this theory is true, than it probably participated in the subsequent battle of Philippi of 42 BC on the side of the triumvirate, Octavian and Marc Antony.[5]
After the defeat of the Republicans, Legio II swore allegiance to Octavian[6] and with the same remained until the battle of Actium of 31 BC,[7] after which it seems to have been dissolved in the years between 30 and 14 BC (sent on leave were between 105,000 and 120,000 veterans[8] and some of its soldiers may have been integrated into the new Legio II Augusta.[6]
In Imperial service
Hispania
At the beginning of Augustus' rule, in 26 BC,[3] this legion was relocated to a place north of Hispania Tarraconensis, to fight in the Cantabrian Wars.[9] This war would definitively established Roman power in Hispania. While the legion was in Hispania, they along with the Legio I Germanica helped build the Colonia Acci.[9] They also constructed the city of Cartenna.[3]
Germania and Gaul
With the annihilation of several legions at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, the Legio II Augusta moved to Germania, possibly in the area of Moguntiacum. While in Germania, during the 15 AD the Legion would participate in the campaigns of Germanicus against the Germanic tribes.[9][3]After Germanicus was recalled the Legion was stationed at Argentoratun.[9] On its way back from Germania, the legion wad drenched in heavy rain and harrased by heavy storms.[3]After Julius Sacrovir and Julius Florus revolted against the Roman Empire in Gaul, the Legio II Augusta, under the command of Gaius Silius would help put down the revolt.[9][3]
The legion was one of the four legions used during Claudius's invasion of Britannia.[9] The commander of the Legion at the time was Vespasian. He led the campaign against the Durotriges and Dumnonii tribes. During the campaign the Legion marched across the south of Britian, fighting many battles against the local tribes.[3] It captured many British towns. The Legion was first stationed at Silchester. And in 49 AD it was moved to Dorchester.[9] Legio II Augusta proved to be one of the best legions, even after its disgrace during the uprising of queen Boudica, when its praefectus castrorum Poenius Postumus, who was then its acting commander, most likely because its legatus and tribunes probably being absent with the governor Suetonius Paulinus, contravened Suetonius' orders to join him and so later committed suicide.[9]
During the Year of Four Emperors a vexhillation of the Legio II Augusta would side with emperor Otho.[3] Later, after Otho was defeated the vexhillation switched sides and served Vitellius.[9] This vexhillation possibly took part in Vetellius's march on Rome, and fought in the battle at Cremona against the legions of Otho.[9] Later, these soldiers were defeated by those of Vespasian, and returned to Britain in 70. It is possible that the main body of the legion had always been loyal towards Vespasian.[9]
Continued service in Britain
Julius Frontinus, the governer of Britain from 74-78 AD ordered several campaigns against the Silures tribe.[3] During the war the fortress of Caerleon was constructed. In 75 AD the II Augusta was moved to Caerleon in Wales.[9] The Legion would remain there, even during Agricola's term as governor of Britain. Although, several Vexillatio of the Legio II Augusta would fight in the Battle of Mons Graupius.[3] Later, in 139 AD the Legion would help in building the short lived Antonine Wall.[9] During the years 155 and 158 AD a revolt spread across Britian, the Legio II Augusta was one of the Legions that fought against the revolting people of Britannia.[9]The legions in Britain suffered greatly, causing reinforcements from the Germanic provinces to be brought over.[9] In 196 AD Decimus Clodius Albinus, who was at this time governor of Britain declared himself emperor, the Legio II Augusta supported his claim.[9] The legions were defeated by the current emperor, Septimus Severus. Although, while the legions were absent from Britain, the province was overrun with Pictish tribes.[9] Emperor Severus attempted to conquer Scotland in order to stop the tribes, while Severus was fighting the Picts, Legio II Augusta was stationed at a fort near Carpow.[9] It is unknown when, but the II Augusta received the surname Antonina, which meant that the soldiers were particularly dear to the emperor. This happened either under Caracalla or Heliogabalus[9], During Severus Alexanders reign as emperor of Rome, the conquests in Scotland were given up and the Second Legion returned to Caerleon.[9] The legion was still there in 255. [9]Sometime in the fourth century, Kent was attacked. The legion participated int the defense of the city.[9] The last known mention of the Legion was the Notitia Dignitatum. It places the Legion at Richborough, suggesting Caerleon was abandoned.[3]
2nd and 3rd centuries
Attested members
Name | Rank | Time frame | Province | Soldier located in | Veteran located in | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caius Largennius | miles | Germania | Argentoratum ? | Argentoratum | ||
Lucius Antistius Rusticus | tribunus | c. 69 | Britannia | AE 1925, 126 | ||
Gnaeus Julius Agricola | tribunus | Britannia | ||||
Publius Septimius Geta | tribunus | c. 170s | Britannia | |||
Iulius Marcellinus [16] | centurio [16] | Britannia [16] | Banna [16] | |||
Poenius Postumius [17] | praefectus castrorum [17] | Britannia [17] | ||||
Titus Flavius Vespasianus | legatus | AD 42-47 | Britannia | Italy | Rome | Suetonius Vesp. 4; Tacitus Hist. III 44; Josephius Bell. Jud. III 12 |
Aulus Larcius Priscus | legatus | between 97 and 105 | Britannia | CIL VIII, 17881 | ||
Aulus Claudius Charax[18] | legatus | c. 141-c. 144 | Britannia | AE 1961, 320 | ||
Fronto Aemilianus Calpurnius Rufilanus[18] | legatus | 161/169 or 177/180 | Britannia | CIL VII, 98 = RIB 320 | ||
Quintus Aurelius Polus Terentianus[19] | legatus | between 185 and 190 | Britannia | AE 1965, 240 | ||
Lucius Julius Julianus | legatus | end 2nd century | Britannia | CIL XI, 4182,CIL VII, 480 | ||
Tiberius Claudius Paulinus | legatus | early 3rd century | Britannia | CIL XIII, 3162 | ||
Vitulasius Laetinianus | legatus | between 253 and 259 | Britannia | CIL VII, 107 | ||
Titus Flavius Postumius Varus | legatus | 3rd century | Britannia | CIL VII, 95 | ||
Lucius Valerius Geminus | AD 43-66 | Britannia | Alchester | |||
Flavius Quadratus | aquilifer | ? | Hispania | Olisipo | CIL II, 266 = HEp 11, 2001 | |
Titus Flavius Rufus | centurio | Italia, Moesia, Dacia | Dacia | CIL XI, 20 = ILS 2082, CIL III, 00971 |
In popular culture
- In his fantasy novel Grail, the author Stephen R. Lawhead states that the legion was ensnared by the black magic of the witch Morgan le Fay, doomed to perpetually wander the mists of Lyonesse.
- Lindsey Davis' character Marcus Didius Falco and his best friend Lucius Petronius Longus both served in the legion during Boadicea's Revolt in AD 60/61, while they were teenagers (probably 19-20 years old). Marcus and Lucius only refer to their service in asides, due to the bad memories of the Revolt and the boredom in a cold, unfriendly country. The scenes of carnage and destruction in Londinium left a deep impression on both of them, with neither keen to return to Brittania. Their internal references also hint that their disgraced prefect, Postumius, did not commit suicide, but instead was executed by the legionaries for his refusal to march to Governor Suetonius's aid during the Revolt, but the legionaries swore an oath never to speak of this to outsiders. Novels that most directly refer to their service in Britain are The Silver Pigs, The Iron Hand of Mars, A Body in the Bath House and The Jupiter Myth.
- It is also the Legion in which Optio Quintus Licinius Cato and Centurion Lucius Cornelius Macro serve during the first five books of the Eagles of the Empire series by Simon Scarrow. The books also cover Vespasian's career as commander of the legion and the invasion of Britain.
- The story of the legion's role in Boadicea's Revolt and the subsequent suicide of its acting commander features in Imperial Governor, George Shipway's 1968 novel about Gaius Suetonius Paulinus.
- The II Legion features in Adrian Goldsworthy's novel series, beginning with Vindolanda, about a fictitious centurion of the legion.
See also
References
- ^ Legions and Veterans: Roman Army Papers 1971-2000 By L. J. F. Keppie page 128
- ^ Legions and Veterans: Roman Army Papers 1971-2000 By L. J. F. Keppie page 129
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Legio II Augusta". Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
- ^ L.Keppie. The making of the roman army. pp. 199 and 203.
- ^ E.Ritterling (1924–1925) [1483–1484]. voice Legio, in Realencyclopädie of Klassischen Altertumswissenschaft.
- ^ a b JRGonzalez. Historia del las legiones romanas. p. 106.
- ^ L.Keppie. The making of the roman army. p. 201.
- ^ Augustus. "Res Gestae Divi Augusti". III: 15 and 16.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Legio II Augusta - Livius". www.livius.org. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
- ^ "RIB 2203. Distance Slab of the Second Legion". Roman Inscriptions of Britain. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ^ Macdonald, Sir George (1934). The Roman wall in Scotland, by Sir George Macdonald (2d ed., rev., enl., and in great part rewritten ed.). Oxford: The Clarendon press. p. 386-387. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
- ^ "Distance Slab of the Second Legion, Duntocher". Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ^ "RIB 2204. Distance Slab of the Second Legion". Roman Inscriptions of Britain. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ^ Macdonald, Sir George (1934). The Roman wall in Scotland, by Sir George Macdonald (2d ed., rev., enl., and in great part rewritten ed.). Oxford: The Clarendon press. p. 387-388. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
- ^ "Distance slab of the 2nd Legion, Caerleith Farm, Duntocher". Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d "PVL Inscriptions - Birdoswald". Per Lineam Valli. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
- ^ a b c "Legio II Augusta". Retrieved 2014-02-19.
- ^ a b Géza Alföldy, Konsulat und Senatorenstand unter der Antoninen (Bonn: Rudolf Habelt Verlag 1977), p. 298
- ^ Anthony Birley, The Fasti of Roman Britain (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1981), pp. 261f
Further reading
- livius.org account
- Field, N. (1992). Dorset and the Second Legion. Tiverton: Dorset Books. ISBN 1-871164-11-7.
- Keppie, Lawrence (2000). "The Origins and Early History of the Second Augustan Legion". Legions and Veterans: Roman Army Papers 1971-2000. Stuttgart: Franz Steiner Verlag. pp. 123–147. ISBN 3-515-07744-8.
External links
- LEGIO SECVNDA AVGVSTA, British 1st - 2nd century AD ~ Roman Living History Society
- LEGIO SECVNDA AVGVSTA FACEBOOK PAGE, Facebook Page for British 1st - 2nd century AD ~ Roman Living History Society
- LEGIO SECVNDA AVGVSTA (NL) Dutch 1st - 2nd century AD ~ Roman Living History Society
- Second Legion Augusta (NZ), New Zealand re-enactment group
- Richard Stillwell, ed. Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites, 1976: "Abonae (Sea Mills, Bristol), England"
- Capricorn Rising: Astrology in Ancient Rome: Poetry, Prophecy and Power, article by David Wray. assistant professor of Classics, University of Chicago.