Roman Legion - Legio II Herculia
Legio II Herculia (Second Hercules Legion) - a late Roman legion created at the end of the 3rd century by order of Emperor Diocletian, named in honor of his co-ruler Maximian Herculius.
Legion name: Legio II Herculia (Second Hercules Legion)
Dates of existence: 3rd-5th centuries
Emblem: unknown
Nickname: Herculia ("Hercules")
Battle Path
- Legio II Herculia was created at the end of the 3rd century by order of Emperor Diocletian and received its nickname in honor of his co-ruler Maximian Herculius. Along with the First Jupiter Legion, it defended the Danube frontier. For a long time, the legion's camp was located in Troesmis.
- In 296-298, a vexillation of the legion participated in Galerius's Persian campaign.
- In 298-299, the legion's VII and X cohorts were stationed in Mauretania Caesariensis, where they assisted Emperor Maximian in suppressing local tribal revolts. The legionaries of these cohorts built a monument to Mithras in Sitifis.
- In 300, under the command of praepositus Valerius Maximian, a vexillation of the legion was sent to Chersonesus Taurica to protect against attacks from local tribes, particularly the Sarmatians and Goths. Here, until 350, they ensured the defense of the Bosporan Kingdom's borders.
- The Notitia Dignitatum (early 5th century) reports numerous detachments of this legion stationed in Axiopolis, Inplateypegiae, Troesmis, and Barbarka. The main units guarded the Danube frontier and were subordinate to the Dux Scythiae.
Related topics
List of Roman Legions, Legion, Legionnaire, Notification Dignitatum, Diocletian
Literature
- Emil Ritterling: Legio (II Herculia). In: Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft (RE). Volume XII,2, Stuttgart 1925, pp. 1467 f.
