Legio II Adiutrix ("Second Legion, the Rescuer") was alegion of theImperial Roman army founded in AD 70 by the emperorVespasian (r. 69–79), originally composed ofRoman navy marines of theclassis Ravennatis. There are still records of IIAdiutrix in theRhine border in the beginning of the 4th century. The legion's symbols were aCapricorn andPegasus.
The formation of Legio IIAdiutrix from marines of theclassis Ravennatis following theYear of Four Emperors was due to the machinations of the commander of the Roman fleets,Sextus Lucilius Bassus. Bassus' intentions was to incite those men to desertVitellius in support ofVespasian, but his intrigue was so poorly handled that while the marines decided to support Vespasian, lost his command,Cornelius Fuscus was sent to take command of the marines, and Bassus was sent to Vespasian to determine his fate.[1]
The first assignment of IIAdiutrix was inGermania Inferior, where theBatavian rebellion was at its peak. After the defeat of the rebels, Legio IIAdiutrix followed generalQuintus Petillius Cerialis toRoman Britain where it replacedLegio XIV Gemina bringing the strength of the garrison in that province to four legions.[2] The legion is believed to have made its base camp atChester.[3]
In 87, the legion was recalled to the continent to participate in theDacian wars of emperorDomitian.[4] There it made its new base at Aquincum (modernBudapest). Around 95 and 96, still in Dacia, the later emperorHadrian served as military tribune in Legio IIAdiutrix.[5]
In the summer of 106 the legion took part to the siege of the Dacian CapitalSarmisegetusa. AfterTrajan's Dacian Wars of 101–106, the legion returned toPannonia Inferior, where it would remain for the years to come. Despite this, the legion orvexillations or subunits took part in:
In 193, Legio IIAdiutrix supported emperorSeptimius Severus during his struggle for the purple.[7]
| Name | Rank | Time frame | Province | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucius Artorius Castus | centurio | between 150 and 250 | Aquincum | CILIII, 1919 |
| Decimus Terentius Gentianus[8] | legatus legionis | c. 116 | Parthian War | TLMN4, 4 |
| Quintus Antistius Adventus[9] | legatus legionis | 162–c. 165 | Parthian War | AE1893, 88 = ILS 8977;AE1914, 281;CILVIII, 18893 = ILS 1091 |
| Marcus Valerius Maximianus[9] | legatus legionis | 179 | Laugaricio | AE1956, 124 |
| Quintus Ranius Terentius Honoratianus Festus[10] | legatus legionis | between 200 and 250 | AE1965, 240 | |
| Aurelius Pollion | miles? | Pannonia | Papyrus from Tebtunis[11] | |
| Marcus Vettius C.f. Latronus | tribunus angusticlavius | before 99 | AE1951, 52 | |
| Titus Furius Victorinus | tribunus angusticlavius | before 140 | Aquincum | CILVI, 41143 |
| Publius Cominius Clemens | tribunus angusticlavius | c. 162—165 | Parthian War | AE1890, 151 |
| Publius Aelius Hadrianus | tribunus laticlavius | c. 95 | Historia Augusta, "Hadrian", 3 |
-Gaio Valerio Crispo veterano exlegione II Adiutrice Pia Fideli.Chester (Deva), U.K. RIB 478.
-Lucius Terentius Claudia tribu Fuscus Apro mileslegionis II Adiutricis Piae Fidelis. Chester, U.K. RIB 477.
-Lucius Valerius Luci filius Claudia tribu Seneca Savaria / mileslegionis II Adiutricis Piae Fidelis. Chester, U.K. RIB 480.
-Gaius Calventius Gai filius Claudia tribu Celer Apro mileslegionis II Adiutricis Piae Fidelis / Vibi Clementis (...). Chester, U.K. RIB 475.
-Gaius Iuventius Gai filius Claudia tribu Capito Apro / mileslegionis II Adiutricis Piae Fidelis / Iuli Clementis annorum XL stipendiorum XVII. Chester, U.K. RIB 476.
-Quintus Valerius Quinti filius Claudia tribu Fronto Celea / mileslegionis II Adiutricis Piae Fidelis annorum L stipendiorum XXṾ (...). Chester, U.K. RIB 479.
-Voltimesis P̣udens Gai filius Sergia tribu Augusta equeslegionis II Adiutricis Piae Fidelis annorum XXXII stipendiorum XIII hic situs est. Chester, U.K. RIB 482.
-Gaius Murrius Gai filius Arniensis Foro Iuli Modestus mileslegionis II Adiutricis Piae Fidelis / Iuli Secundi annorum) XXV stipendiorum / hic situs est.Bath, U.K. (Aquae Sulis). RIB 157 =CILVII, 48.
-Titus Valerius Titi filius Claudia tribu Pudens Savaria mileslegionis II Adiutricis Piae Fidelis / Dossenni Proculi annorum XXX aera VI heres de suo posuit hic situs est.Lincoln (Lindum), U.K. RIB 258 =CILVII, 185.
-legionis II Adiutricis Piae Fidelis / Ponti ProculiLucius Licinius Luci filius Galeria tribu Saliga Lugdunonnorum XXstipendiorum II. Lincoln (Lindum), U.K. RIB 253 =CILVII, 186.
-Quintus Cumelius / Quinti filius / Fabia Celer Bracarensis /veteranus legionis II Adiutricis hic situs annorum LXXV (...).Astorga (Asturica), Spain.CILII, 2639.
- Fortunae Balneari sacrum /Valerius Buccomiles legionis II Adiutricis Piae Fidelis / decuria Aemili (...).Segovia, Spain.CILII, 2763.
- VICTORIAE AVGVSTORV(m) EXERCITUS QVI LAV GARICIONE SEDIT MIL(ites)L(egionis) II DCCCLV(Marcus Valerius) MAXIMIANUS LEG(atus)LEG (ionis) II AD(iutricis) CVR(avit) F(aciendum). Laugaricio (todayTrenčín), Slovakia.
