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 first assignment of IIAdiutrix was inGermania Inferior, where theBatavian rebellion was at its peak. After the defeat of the rebels, IIAdiutrix followed generalQuintus Petillius Cerialis toBritain to deal with another rebellion led by Venutius. During the next years, the legion was to stay in the British Islands to subdue the rebel tribes ofScotland andWales, with base camp probably atChester.
In 87, the legion was recalled to the continent to participate in theDacian wars of emperorDomitian. Between 94 and 95, still in Dacia, later emperorHadrian served as military tribune in the IIAdiutrix.
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 was located in Aquincum (modernBudapest), which would be its base camp for the years to come. Despite this, the legion orvexillations or subunits took part in:
In 193, IIAdiutrix supported emperorSeptimius Severus during his struggle for the purple.
| Name | Rank | Time frame | Province | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucius Artorius Castus | centurio | between 150 and 250 | Aquincum | CILIII, 1919 |
| Quintus Antistius Adventus[1] | legatus legionis | 162–c. 165 | Parthian War | AE1893, 88 = ILS 8977;AE1914, 281;CILVIII, 18893 = ILS 1091 |
| Marcus Valerius Maximianus[1] | legatus legionis | 179 | Laugaricio | AE1956, 124 |
| Quintus Ranius Terentius Honoratianus Festus[2] | legatus legionis | between 200 and 250 | AE1965, 240 | |
| Aurelius Pollion | miles? | Pannonia | Papyrus from Tebtunis[3] | |
| 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 = CIL VII 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 = CIL VII 185.
-legionis II Adiutricis Piae Fidelis / Ponti ProculiLucius Licinius Luci filius Galeria tribu Saliga Lugdunonnorum XXstipendiorum II. Lincoln (Lindum), U.K. RIB 253 = CIL VII 186.
-Quintus Cumelius / Quinti filius / Fabia Celer Bracarensis /veteranus legionis II Adiutricis hic situs annorum LXXV (...).Astorga (Asturica), Spain. CIL II 2639.
- Fortunae Balneari sacrum /Valerius Buccomiles legionis II Adiutricis Piae Fidelis / decuria Aemili (...).Segovia, Spain. CIL II 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.
