The Second Legion, known as Legio II Adiutrix (“the Rescuer”), was established by Emperor Vespasian in AD 70, during his reign from 69 to 79. Initially, this legion of the Imperial Roman army was formed from marines of the classis Ravennatis, part of the Roman navy. Records indicate that II Adiutrix was still present along the Rhine border in the early 4th century. The legion was distinguished by its symbols, a Capricorn and a Pegasus.
History of the Legio II Adiutrix
This legion was raised from marines of the Mediterranean fleet at Ravenna during the tumultous year of AD69, probably by Vespasian or his supporters, shortly after Legio I Adiutrix was raised by Nero from sailors at Misenum, the latter unit later commandeered by Galba. The word Adiutrix means ‘assistant, helper’, in other words these legions were raised to supplement the existing legionary strength. Most of the sailors in the Roman fleet originated from amongst the sea-faring peoples of the eastern Mediterranean and had a normal service period of twenty-six years, a year longer than the Auxiliaries, and therefore belonged to a subservient branch in the Roman Military hierarchy. Many sailors would have jumped at the chance being offered, for service in the legions, although tough, was of shorter duration than the auxilia and was much more lucrative, being paid significantly higher salaries.
During the revolt of the German armies under Julius Civilis in 69/70, Legio II Adiutrix formed part of the army of nine legions under the joint command of Quintus Petilius Cerialis and Appius Annius Gallus, sent by the new emperor Vespasian to settle the dispute. The imperial legions involved in this conflict were; II Adiutrix, VIII Augusta, XI Claudia, XIII Gemina and XXI Rapax from Italy (all but the last being part of the victorious army from the second battle of Cremona), together with I Adiutrix, Legio VI Victrix and X Gemina from Spain also Legio XIV Gemina, recently removed from Britain.
Accompanied Petillius Cerialis to Britain
Following the revolt of the Brigantes tribe under Venutius in AD71, Legio II Adiutrix was despatched to Britain along with the new governor Quintus Petillius Cerialis, recently victorious on the Rhine in Germany. The legion appears to have been used as a reserve force, being stationed at Lincoln (Colonia Lindum), replacing Legio IX Hispana which Cerialis moved north to construct a new fortress at York (Eburacum), closer to the source of the revolt and within the territories of the Brigantes themselves.
The next governor of Britain, Gnaeus Julius Agricola, immediately upon arrival in his new domain, set about reorganising the existing legions in preparation for his planned conquest of the Caledonian tribes in Scotland. He moved Legio II Adiutrix from Lincoln (Colonia Lindum) Roman Settlement to the mouth of the River Dee on the northern Welsh border, where they were to construct a legionary fortress at Chester (Deva) Roman Fortress. This energetic governor then defeated the Ordovices tribe in North Wales and conquered the Ynys Môn (Anglesey), all during his first year in office.
It is very likely that the cream of II Adiutrix soldiers were used in the Welsh campaigns of Agricola while their comrades toiled to construct the fortress on the Dee. It is also possible that the first cohort at least, may have accompanied the governor throughout his campaigns in Scotland. This is purely speculation, however, as no documentary or epigraphic evidence has been found that places II Adiutrix in either Wales or Scotland at this time.
The bulk of the legion were again used as a reserve force while the action occurred far to the north of Scotland throughout AD78-86. When Agricola was recalled to Rome by Domitian c.87, Legio II Adiutrix were also removed from Britain, to be replaced at Chester (Deva) Roman Fortress by Legio XX Valeria Victrix which had to be removed from Scotland, abandoning their partly-constructed legionary fortress at Inchtuthil Roman Fortress in Tayside.
Evidence for Legio II Adiutrix in Britain
The recovery of a tombstone of an experienced centurion at Colonia Camulodunum (Colchester), a colony for retired legionary veterans, cannot be taken as evidence of this legion’s presence in Essex at any time, neither can the tombstone of a common legionary soldier found at Aquae Sulis (Bath), where military officers and men would often retire to ‘take the waters’. A couple of tombstones recovered from the environs of the legionary fortress at Lincoln, which had no colonial attributions until the late-first century, is, however, seen as evidence that Legio II Adiutrix was stationed here for some time. The fine tombstone of a cavalry officer in the eques or ‘cavalry wing’ of Legio II Adiutrix, along with at least ten other inscribed funerary monuments attributed to the Legion at Chester (Deva) Roman Fortress attests to their presence here for a period.
Bath
RIB 157 - Funerary inscription for Gaius Murrius Modestus
Gaius Murrius Modestus, son of Gaius, of the Arniensian voting-tribe, from Forum Juli, soldier of the Second Legion Adjutrix Pia Fidelis, from the century of Julius Secundus, aged 25, of … years’ service, lies buried here.
G F ARNIENSIS
FORO IVLI MO
DESTVS MIL [...]
EG II AD P F
[.] IVLI SECVNDI
ANN XXV STIP [..]
H S [...]
Legio II Adjutrix was quartered first at Lincoln, then from а.d. 71 to about 85 at Chester; this stone belongs presumably to that period. It seems likely that Forum Juli here mentioned was the well-known example at Fréjus; if so, Arniensis must be a mistake for Aniensis.
Colchester
RIB 203 - Fragmentary funerary inscription
… twice centurion … twice centurion in the … Legion … centurion of the Third Legion Augusta … centurion of the Twentieth Legion Valeria Victrix, born at Nicaea in Bithynia, served … years, lived … years … death ..
[...]AE BIS 𐆛 [...]
[...] BIS 𐆛 LEG [...]
[...] 𐆛 LEG III AV[ ...]
[..] LEG XX VAL V[...]
[... ]NDVS NICAEẠ [...]
[...]IA MILITAVI[ ...]
[...] VIXIT ANN [...]
[...] OBITVM [...]
9. For the use of obitum in this context see CIL xi 43, Ravenna (ILS 2863) si quis post obitum. Addenda from RIB+add. (1995): Since it is uncertain how centurions were ‘promoted’, translate bis centurio literally as ‘twice centurion’.
Lincoln
RIB 253 - Funerary inscription for Lucius Licinius Saliga
Of the Second Legion Adiutrix Pia Fidelis, in the century of […] Pontius Proculus, Lucius Licinius Saliga, son of Lucius, of the Galerian voting-tribe, from Lyons, aged 20 (or more), of 2 years’ service.
[...]ONTI PROCV
LI L LICINIVS L F G
AL SALIGA LVG A
NNORVM XX
[... ]TIPEND II
For the name put after the rank cf. EE vii 991, CIL xiii 6942. For a Celtic feminine name Salica see Holder s.v. For Lugdunum see note to RIB 252.
RIB 258 - Funerary inscription for Titus Valerius Pudens
Titus Valerius Pudens, son of Titus, of the Claudian voting-tribe, from Savaria, a soldier of the Second Legion Adjutrix Pia Fidelis, in the century of Dossennius Proculus, aged 30, of 6 years’ service here he lies. His heir at his own expense set this up.
CLA PVDENS SAV
MIL LEG II A P F
𐆛 DOSSENNI
PROCVLI A XXX
AERA [...]I H D S P
H S E
Savaria: (Stein am Anger or Szombathely) a Claudian colony in Pannonia Superior. The recruitment of much of leg. II A P F from the fleet may account for the trident and dolphin in the gable.
Chester
RIB 475 - Funerary inscription for Gaius Calventius Celer
Gaius Calventius Celer, son of Gaius, of the Claudian voting-tribe, from Aprus, soldier of the Second Legion Adjutrix Pia Fidelis, in the century of Vibius Clemens …
G ▸ F ▸ CLAÍ¡VD ▸ CE
LER APRO ▸ MIL
LEG ▸ II ▸ AD ▸ P ▸ F
Aprus, or Apri: a town in Thrace, where the Emperor Claudius founded a colonia.
RIB 476 - Funerary inscription for Gaius Juventius Capito
Gaius Juventius Capito, (son) of Gaius, of the Claudian voting-tribe, from Aprus, soldier of the Second Legion Adjutrix Pia Fidelis, in the century of Julius Clemens, aged 40, of 7 (or 17) years’ service [lies here].
G CLA CAPITO
APRO MIL LEG II
AD P F 𐆛 IVLI CLE
MENTIS ANN XL
STIP [...]VII
For Aprus see RIB 475.2. The omission of f(ilius) after G(ai) is not uncommon at Chester and elsewhere, and seems to be a variation without significance.
RIB 477 - Funerary inscription for Lucius Terentius Fuscus
Lucius Terentius Fuscus, of the Claudian voting-tribe, from Aprus, soldier of the Second Legion Adjutrix Pia Fidelis, [… lies here].
[ ]L FVSCVS
[...]PRO MILE
[ ...]G II AD P F
[...]
No commentary.
RIB 478 - Funerary inscription for Gaius Valerius Crispus
To Gaius Valerius Crispus, veteran from the Second Legion Adjutrix Pia [Fidelis …
CRISPO
VETRANO
EX LEG II
AD PIA
[...]
No commentary.
RIB 479 - Funerary inscription for Quintus Valerius Fronto
Quintus Valerius Fronto, son of Quintus, of the Claudian voting-tribe, from Celea, soldier of the Second Legion Adjutrix Pia Fidelis, aged 50, of 2[5] years’ service [… lies here].
VS Q F CLA
FRONTO CELE
A MILES LEG
II AD P F AN
NORVM L
STIPENDIORV
M XXṾ[...]
3. Celea, or usually Celeia, a municipium in Noricum. The numerals stating his years of service are damaged, but they probably ranged between 25 and 29. Forni, Il Reclutamento delle Legioni da Augusto a Diocleziano (1953) pp. 142-4 gives instances of soldiers who exceeded the normal term of 25 or 26 years. Birley loc. cit. shows that he was transferred from another legion.
RIB 480 - Funerary inscription for Lucius Valerius Seneca
Lucius Valerius Seneca, son of Lucius, of the Claudian voting-tribe, from Savaria, soldier of the Second Legion Adjutrix [Pia Fidelis ..
L ❦ F ❦ CLAVDIA
SENECA ▸ SAVÍ¡AÍ¡R
[...]ES LEG II AD
[...]
No commentary.
RIB 481 - Fragmentary funerary inscription
…]inus, trooper of the Second Legion Adjutrix Pia Fidelis, in the century of Petronius Fidus, of 11 years’ service, aged 25, lies buried here.
[4]INVS EQVẸ[ ...]
II AD P F 𐆛 PETRONI
FIDI STIPENDIO
RVM IXI ANNO
RVM XXV
HIC SEP EST
His age is probably understated, and has been put in round figures.For the cursive form of m, n, or r compare RIB 256, CIL viii 17787, CIL xii 3329. Addenda from RIB+add. (1995): 5. ixi is a stonecutter’s mistake for iix, cf. RIB 501, stip(endiorum) IIX. 14-year old recruits are known (see Birley, ZPE 64 (1986), 205-6), but they are not common; it is easier to understand ‘of 8 [not 11] years’ service’ [i.e. aged 17 at enlistment].
RIB 482 - Funerary inscription for Voltimesis Pudens
Voltimesis Pudens, son of Gaius, of the Sergian voting-tribe, from Augusta, trooper of the Second Legion Adjutrix Pia Fidelis, aged 32 years, of 13 years’ service, lies buried here.
ESIS ▸ PVDENS G ▸ FIL
SER ▸ AVGVSTA ▸ EQ
VES ▸ LEG ▸ II AD ▸ P ▸ F
ANNORVM ▸ XXXII
S
2. Augusta is Augusta Praetoria (Aosta). As CIL iii p. 73 assigns Augusta Alexandria Troas to tribus Aniensis, Ritterling, Westd. Zeitschr. 12 (1893) 107 n. 11 seems to be mistaken in making this Augusta Troas. Addenda from RIB+add. (1995): Birley (loc. cit.) notes that this Italian legionary would have been enrolled in A.D. 70, quite likely by Agricola himself.
RIB 483 - Fragmentary funerary inscription
…of the Second Legion Adjutrix Pia Fidelis, in the century of Metius Ferox, aged 31, of 13 years’ service his heir had this made.
⟦[12]⟧
⟦[12]⟧
LEG II AD P F
𐆛 METI FEROCIS
ANNOR XXXI
STIPENDIORVM
XIII HERES
FACI[...] CVRAVIT
5. Dessau (quoted by F.H. EE) thinks that Metius Ferox is not the same as Q. Mettius Ferox, evocatus Augusti (CIL xi 3006 Viterbo), but may be related to him.
RIB 484 - Fragmentary funerary inscription
…]mius […], son of […], of the Claudian voting-tribe, from Aprus, soldier of the Second Legion Adjutrix Pia Fidelis, … 20[…
[5]I
[...]DIA
[5] APRO
[... ]EG II
[... ] F
[4] XX
[...]
For Aprus see RIB 475.
RIB 485 - Fragmentary funerary inscription
… of the Second Legion] Adjutrix Pia Fidelis, lived 30 years, of 13 years’ service, lies buried here.
AD P F VIX AN XXX
STIP XIII
H SEPELIT
3. sepelitus is a variant of sepultus.
Removed from Britain to Quell Revolt in Dacia
Decebalus caused the tribes in Dacia to rise in revolt against Roman rule in AD85 and the first Dacian campaign of Domitian, under the command of the praetorian prefect, Cornelius Fuscus, ended in disaster in AD86. Following this, Legio II Adiutrix was moved from Britain, together with IV Flavia from Dalmatia and I Adiutrix from Germany to strengthen the Dacian Frontier. These legions were used during the victorious campaign of governor Tettius Julianus in AD88, when Roman victory was secured at Tapae.
II Adiutrix were based at Singidunum (modern Belgrade, capital of Serbia) together with Legio IV Flavia during Trajan’s Dacian campaigns c. AD105.
The legion was moved from Singidunum to Aquincum (modern Budapest, capital of Hungary) c. AD106, when parts of the Dacian army were redistributed to allow Trajan to continue with his ill-fated campaign in Parthia. The future emperor Hadrian served as a military tribune in Legio II Adiutrix during these campaigns (vide Aelius Spartianus The Augustan History Hadrian.2).
Between AD171 to 173 Legio II Adiutrix was active in the Dacian campaigns of Marcus Aurelius, during which time they were stationed at Trencin in western Slovakia near the border with the Czech Republic, sixty miles beyond the Danube forming the northernmost Roman garrison in Central Europe.