Roman Legion Garrisons

Legionnaires and Auxilia from various Legions participating at the Roman encampment in Aalen, Germany.

The Roman legions were large formations of exeptionally well trained soldiers who could be relied upon to vigorously defend the borders of the Roman Empire. Legions were deployed close to the borders of the Empire, and particularly in the newly captured provinces. The legions played an important role as an operational reserve and rapid reaction force for the auxiliary cohorts stationed at the numerous border fortifications. When large raids or full-scale attacks were reported, the two nearest legions at hand would advance against the left and right flanks of the incursion in an attempt at double envelopment.

Roman Legion Garrisons

  • legio VII Gemina, Legio (Léon, Spain)
  • legio II Augusta, Isca (Caerleon, Wales)
  • legio XX Valeria victrix, Deva (Chester)
  • legio VI Victrix, Eboracum (York, England)
  • legio XXX Ulpia, Vetera (Xanten, Netherlands)
  • legio I Minerva, Bonna (Bonn, Germany)
  • legio XXII Primigenia, Mogontiacum (Mayence, Germany)
  • legio VIII Augusta, Argentoratum (Strassbourg, France)
  • legio III Italica, Castra Regina (Ratisbon, Germany)
  • legio II Italica, Lauriacum (Lorch, Germany)
  • legio X Gemina, Vindobona (Vienna, Austria)
  • legio XIIII Gemina, Carnuntum (Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, Austria)
  • legio I Adiutix, Brigetio (Szöny, Hungary)
  • legio II Adiutix, Aquincum (Budapest, Hungary)
  • legio IIII Vlavia, Singidunum (Belgrad, Yugoslavia)
  • legio VII Claudia, Viminiacum (Kostolac)
  • legio XIII Gemina, Apulum (Alba Julia)
  • legio V Macedonica, Potaissa (Turda)
  • legio I Italica, Navae (Steklen)
  • legio XI Claudia, Durastorum (Silistra)
  • legio XV Apollinaris, Satala
  • legio XII Fulminata, Melitene (Malatya)
  • legio XVI Flavia firma, Samosata
  • legio IIII Scythica, Zeugma
  • legio III Gallica, Raphanea (Homs)
  • legio VI Ferrata, Carpacotna
  • legio X Fretensis, Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem)
  • legio III Cyrenaica, Bostra (Bosra)
  • legio II Traiana, Alexandria
  • legio III Augusta, Lambaesis

Several of the legions mentioned above have been raised again by historic reenactment societies throughout Europe. These units participate at Roman encampments like the one held anually at Aalen, Germany.

Bibliography

  • Cromwell, Richard S.: The Rise und Decline of the Late Roman Field Army
  • Fischer, Thomas: Die Römer in Deutschland
  • Funcken, L. & F.: le costume et les armes des soldats de tous les temps, Vol. 1, pp. 54-69
  • Isaac, Benjamin: The Limits of Empire – The Roman Army in the East
  • Secunda, Nick: The Republican Roman Army 2nd Century BC
  • Stephenson, I. P.: Roman Infantry Equipment

Ancient Miniatures