With four legions in the first century AD, Britain was one of the most heavily garrisoned provinces in the Roman Empire. From c. 70 the number was reduced to three.
The original legions in Britain
IIAugusta: Last attested in Notitia Dignitatum in the fourth century. Permanent base: Caerleon.
IXHispana: At York until at least 107-8. Fate unknown.
XIV Gemina Martia Victrix: Until 70.
XX Valeria Victrix Until at least the late third century. Fate unknown. Permanent base: Chester.
The replacements
IIAdiutrix Pia Fidelis replaces XIV from c. 70 to c. 86, then leaves for Dacia.
VI Victrix arrives with Aulus Platorius Nepos, c. 122. Last attested in Notitia Dignitatum. Permanent base: York.
Vexillations from abroad
VII Gemina: Vexillation under Hadrian.
VIII Augusta: Vexillations in the invasion force, and under Hadrian and Antoninus Pius.
XXII Primigenia: Vexillations in Britain under Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Caracalla.
Vexillations and detachments
Legions were perpetually being split into vexillations and dispersed as and when required. Vexillations were sent to Britain during the invasion, and during later warfare to reinforce the resident garrison. Detachments were not necessarily organized purely for war. Large components of II, VI and XX took part in building both Hadrian’s Wall and the Antonine Wall. Individual soldiers, especially centurions, were liable to be detached for special duties, including commanding an auxiliary unit, serving on the governor’s staff, or administering local civil police responsibilities.
The British legions contributed vexillations to Continental campaigns. An inscription from the Tyne of c. 158 [103] records vexillations of the II, VI and XX legions either arriving from, or being sent to, the two German provinces as reinforcements. A bronze roundel depicting and naming vexillations of II Augusta and XX Valeria Victrix probably refers to the time they were used under Gallienus (253-68), an event testified on an inscription from Central Europe.
Tracking legions
Although Tacitus provides some information about legions, most of what we know comes from inscriptions. But these need to be interpreted with care. Since soldiers were detached as individuals and in vexillations, the location of a tombstone does not indicate the location of a soldier’s unit. To be certain we need several tombstones, or preferably an inscription made in the name of a legion.
Legions in the fourth century
In later years, the legions became a shadow of their former selves. The Notitia Dignitatum places II Augusta at Richborough, a far smaller site than the old legionary base at Caerleon. VI Victrix still seems to have been at York, but the XX legion is unmentioned. By this time the army had been reorganized into smaller mobile units of cavalry and static frontier garrisons. Our knowledge is severely limited by the fact that no military inscriptions were produced after the end of the third century.
102. Legionaries in the Roman army.
A group of modern re-enactors dressed as legionaries. The soldier in the centre is a centurion. The armour and weapons are based on excavated examples or sculptures, though on a day-to-day basis Roman soldiers were probably much shabbier in appearance.
103. Newcastle (Northumberland).
Inscription from Pons Aelius dated to c. 158 under the governor, Julius Verus. Note the error at the end of line four, where the sculptor omitted the word ‘LEG’ and was forced to created a compressed abbreviation.
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