Legio XXII Primigenia

The Twenty-Second Legion, known as Legio XXII Primigenia and dedicated to Fortuna Primigenia, the goddess of fortune, was a unit of the Imperial Roman army. Emperor Caligula established this legion in AD 39, primarily for his military campaigns in Germania. The legion was mainly stationed in Mogontiacum, now known as Mainz, where it remained active until the late 3rd century. Its emblems included a Capricorn and the demigod Hercules.

History of the Legio XXII Primigenia

Initially positioned in Mogontiacum in the Roman province of Germania Superior, Legio XXII Primigenia played a crucial role in guarding the Rhine border as part of the limes, the Roman Empire’s frontier system. In the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors (69 AD), this legion supported Vitellius alongside other forces in Germania. During the Batavian rebellion, under the command of Gaius Dillius Vocula, Legio XXII Primigenia distinguished itself as the sole Germanic legion to withstand rebel assaults, staunchly defending its base at Mogontiacum. The legion’s presence in Mogontiacum persisted well into the 3rd century. Notably, the future Emperor Hadrian served as a military tribune in this legion around 97–98 AD.

Approximately 90 units from Legio XXII were stationed in the vicinity of present-day Butzbach, contributing to the Limes Germanicus, a series of defensive fortifications in Germania Superior. Intriguingly, a stamp associated with Legio XXII was discovered during archaeological digs at a Roman fort in Butzbach. This stamp bore a striking resemblance to the emblem of the 22nd U.S. Infantry Regiment, which was based in Butzbach post-World War II.

While Mogontiacum was their primary base, detachments of the legion were involved in constructing the Antonine Wall in Scotland in the 2nd century and participated in campaigns against the Sassanid Empire around 235 AD.

In 235, during the Alamanni tribe’s incursion, Legio XXII Primigenia was still stationed in Mogontiacum. They infamously played a role in the murder of Emperor Alexander Severus amid negotiations with the Alamanni and subsequently in the elevation of Maximinus Thrax to the throne.

By 268, it’s believed that Primigenia might have fought under Gallienus at the Battle of Naissus, achieving a victory over the Goths. In the subsequent year, the legion reportedly rebelled against Postumus, declaring their commander Laelianus as Emperor of the Gallic Empire.

In the early 4th century, the legion was honoured with the title “Primigenia CV” (possibly Constantiana Victrix). Its fate post-Constantine the Great’s reign (306–337) is unclear, with some speculation that it may have been annihilated at the Battle of Mursa. After the reign of Constantine I the Great (306-337), it disappears from our sources.

The emblems of the Twenty-second were the demigod Hercules and the Capricorn.  Hercules was dropped in the third century. The Capricorn may have been chosen because it could be represented with the same symbols as the goddess Fortuna.

Illustration of the landmark (Capricorn) of the Legio XXII Primigenia in a historicizing mosaic in the residential complex Kästrich, Mainz.

Epigraphic Evidence for Legio XXII Primigenia in Britain

Evidence from RIB1026 (see below) suggests that a vexillation from leg. XXII Primigenia sent to Britain in the early third century.

RIB 1026 - Funerary inscription for Gracilis (c. A.D. 217)

To the spirits of the departed (and) to … Gracilis, centurion from Upper Germany from the Twenty-Second Legion: Aurelia […]illa had this set up to her husband.

[...] M
[...  ]RACILI
[...]INATO
[...]MAN SVPER
[...]G XXII AVRELIA
[...]ILLA CON
IVGI FACIEND
VM CVRAVIT

It is suggested that Gracilis was a member of a vexillation from leg. XXII Primigenia sent to Britain in the early third century.


RIB 3163 - Fragmentary tombstone (before A.D. 161)

primus pilus of the Twenty-Second Legion Deiotariana, prefect of the Twentieth Legion Valeria Victrix.

[...]
[..] LEG XXII D[...]
[..]AEF LEG XX V V

In view of the find-spot, this must be part of a tombstone, but an epitaph would not end with details of an officer’s career, so there was presumably a second tablet. The praefectus castrorum of a legion was regularly promoted from being primus pilus of another legion, so the restoration is certain. The Twenty-Second Legion Deiotariana was destroyed within the period 119–61, so this inscription is no later than the 160s, but may be much earlier.


RIB 2216 - Bulding inscription of the Twenty-Second Legion Primigenia

A detachment of the Twenty-Second Legion Primigenia (built this).

VEXI[...]
LEG XXI[...]
PRIMIG[...]
  • Supposedly on the Antonine Wall, it was seen in, or shortly before, 1797 in Callendar House, Falkirk.
  • A detachment, 1,000 strong, of the Twenty-Second Legion Primigenia formed part of the reinforcements sent to Britain about 119 by Hadrian.

Evidence from Inscriptiones Latinae Selectae(ILS) for Legio XXII Primigenia in Britain

After the loss of the ninth legion (after c. 120 AD) reinforcements from the Twenty-Second Firstborn Legion are requested. We have two inscriptions which recorded such reinforcements, which include 1,000 legionaries from Legio VII Gemina from Spainand VIII Augusta and XXII Primigenia both from Germany.

ILS 2726

T PONTIVS T F PAL SABINVS PRAEF COH I PANN ET DALMAT EQ C R TRIB MIL LEG VI FERRAT DONIS DONATVS EXPEDITIONE PARTHICA A DIVO TRAIANO HASTA PVRA VEXILLO CORONA MVRALI > LEG XXII PRIMIG > LEG XIII GEMIN PRIMVS PILVS LEG III AVG PRAEPOSITVS VEXILLATIONIBVS MILLIARIIS TRIBVS EXPEDITIONE BRITTANNICA LEG VII GEMIN VIII AVG XXII PRIMIG TRIB COH III VIG COH XIIII VRB COH II PRAET P P II PROC PROVINC NARBONENS IIII VIR I D QVINQ FLAMEN PATRON MVNICIPI

ILS 2735

M. Maenio C. f. Cor. Agrip|pae L. Tusidio Campestri1, | hos- piti divi Hadriani, patri | senatoris, praef. coh. II Fl. | Britton. equitat3, electo | a divo Hadriano et misso | in expeditionem Britan|nicam, trib. coh. I Hispanor. | equitat3, praef. alac | Gallor. et Pannonior. catafracta|tae, proc. Aug. praef. classis | Brittannicae, proc. provinjciae Brittanniae, equo pu|blico, patrono municipi, | vicani Censorglacenses4 | consecuti ab in- dulgentia | optimi maximique imp. Anto|nini Aug. Pii beneficio inter|pre- tationis eius privilegia, quibus in p[e]rpetuum aucti | confirmatique sunt. | L. d. d. d.