--- title: Legio II Augusta author: James Lloyd source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Legio_II_Augusta/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Legio II Augusta _Authored by [James Lloyd](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jtl203/)_ Legio II Augusta was a legion of the [Roman army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Army/) that, throughout its centuries-long history, had fought in the Cantabrian Wars of 29-19 BCE, [Germanicus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Germanicus/)' German campaigns in 9 CE, the invasion of [Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Britain/) in 43 CE, and Septimus Severus' Scottish campaigns in 208-211 CE. This legion was a true asset to the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/). ### Origin It is not too clear where this legion had its origins, but it probably took the name 'augusta' from a reorganisation or victory under [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/). The earliest that we know of the legion for certain is 26 BCE, when it was one of seven or more legions that Augustus led against the Cantabrians, a people of Spain, as part of the Cantabrian Wars of 29-19 BCE. After this, it is unclear where the legion went, or when, other than stay in Spain. According to Pliny, *Nat. Hist.* 5.20 (a noticeably later source), the colony of Cartenna, in [Mauretania](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mauretania/) (modern-day Tenes, Algeria, which was part of [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) Spain) was founded under Augustus by the second legion. After the defeat of [Publius Quinctilius Varus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Publius_Quinctilius_Varus/)' legions at the [Battle of Teutoburg Forest](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1010/battle-of-teutoburg-forest/) in 9 CE, the II Augusta moved to Upper Germany near Moguntiacum (modern-day Mainz), and in 15 CE, the legion was part of the army that Germanicus took into Germany to combat the Chatti and Cherusci tribes. On the legion's return to Roman-controlled territory, it was heavily pounded by storms, and drenched by flooding as it travelled along the North Sea coast. > After a while, through the force of the north wind and the equinoctial season, when the sea swells to its highest, his army was driven and tossed hither and thither. The country too was flooded; sea, shore, fields presented one aspect, nor could the treacherous quicksands be distinguished from solid ground or shallows from deep water. Men were swept away by the waves or sucked under by eddies; beasts of burden, baggage, lifeless bodies floated about and blocked their way. The companies were mingled in confusion, now with the breast, now with the head only above water, sometimes losing their footing and parted from their comrades or drowned. The voice of mutual encouragement availed not against the adverse force of the waves. There was nothing to distinguish the brave from the coward, the prudent from the careless, forethought from chance; the same strong power swept everything before it. ([Tacitus](https://www.worldhistory.org/tacitus/), *Annals,* 1.70) Some point after this the II Augusta moved from Moguntiacum to Argentoratum (modern-day Strasbourg), where various tombstones of its troops have been found. It also seems likely that the II Augusta was involved with putting down a Gaulish rebellion in 21 CE when it must have been under the command of Gaius Silius, the governor of Upper Germany. There is a [triumphal arch](https://www.worldhistory.org/Triumphal_Arch/) at Orange which was likely erected to celebrate the II Augusta's role in the defeat of the rebellion; it is decorated with the Capricorn, one of the legion's emblems. ### Invasion of Britain The next move for Legio II Augusta was in 43 CE when under the command of future [Roman emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) [Vespasian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vespasian/) it invaded Britain. The II Augusta moved along the south coast of [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/) fighting many battles with local tribes, and capturing a similar amount of towns. It became one of the [legions of Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1753/legions-of-britain/), likely first stationed at Isca Dumnoniorum (modern-day Exeter) and then Glevum (modern-day Gloucester). However, the evidence to link the II Augusta in particular directly to these locations is ambiguous; for example, at Isca Dumnoniorum the fortress is seemingly too small to house an entire legion. [ ![Legio II Augusta Reenactment](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/14043.jpg?v=1707934504) Legio II Augusta Reenactment Hans Splinter (CC BY-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14043/legio-ii-augusta-reenactment/ "Legio II Augusta Reenactment")Despite being in Britain during the revolt of [Boudicca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Boudicca/) (60-61 CE), the II Augusta was not involved. Tacitus recounts the actions of the camp prefect Poenius [Postumus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Postumus/) after realising his error in not responding to [Suetonius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Suetonius/) Paulinus' (the governor of Britain at the time) call to arms: > Pœnius Postumus too, camp-prefect of the second legion, when he knew of the success of the men of the fourteenth and twentieth, feeling that he had cheated his legion out of like glory, and had contrary to all military usage disregarded the general's orders, threw himself on his sword (Tacitus*, Annals*, 14.37) ### [Year of the Four Emperors](https://www.worldhistory.org/Year_of_the_Four_Emperors/) During the Year of the Four Emperors in 69 CE, a vexillation (a [Roman legionary](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Legionary/) task force) of the II Augusta fought first for [Otho](https://www.worldhistory.org/Otho/) and then for [Vitellius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vitellius/) against Vespasian at Bedriacum, but they were defeated. Since it was then clear that Vitellius was ruined, the II Augusta declared their allegiance to Vespasian, who had led them in Britain until 47 CE. The II Augusta then once again became concerned with Britain. With the south of England having been won over, [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/)'s concerns now lay with conquering Wales, more specifically, the tribe of Silures. [Julius](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Julius/) Frontinus, governor of Britain from 74-78 CE, ordered a succession of campaigns against them. It was around then that the fortress at Isca Silurum (modern-day Caerleon) was built. This fortress was occupied by the II Augusta for the next 200 years. The fortress of Caerleon can still be visited today, as well as the surrounding [Roman baths](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Baths/) and [amphitheatre](https://www.worldhistory.org/amphitheatre/). [ ![Half-figure tombstone of Gaius Largennius](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/1117.jpg?v=1599299102) Half-figure tombstone of Gaius Largennius Mike Bishop (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/1117/half-figure-tombstone-of-gaius-largennius/ "Half-figure tombstone of Gaius Largennius")Whilst the II Augusta was stationed at Isca Silurum, various detachments would serve missions across the wider area of [Roman Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Britain/). For example, part of the legion was present at the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Mons Graupius, under the command of Gnaeus Julius Agricola, although they did not actually participate in any of the fighting. Further detachments could be stationed at [Hadrian's Wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hadrians_Wall/) or as the governor's staff at Londinium. ### Later History Under [Septimius Severus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Septimius_Severus/), much of the II Augusta moved to [Scotland](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scotland/) to partake in a renewed invasion of Scotland in 208 CE, which meant that the number of soldiers stationed at Isca Silurum greatly decreased. After this, not a huge amount is known about the II Augusta, apart from what can be gleaned from inscriptions and dedications. Possibly the last mention of II Augusta is in the Notitia Dignitatum (a state reference of the positions to be filled by the various ruling bodies of the Roman [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) in Late Antiquity, dated to c. 430 CE), which places the II Augusta at Richborough, Isca Silurum being abandoned by now, under the control of the Count of the [Saxon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saxons/) Shore. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Mellor, R. *Tacitus' Annals.* Oxford University Press, USA, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0195151933/) - [Perseus Digital Library](http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.02.0078 "Perseus Digital Library"), accessed 1 Dec 2016. - [Pollard, N. *The Complete Roman Legions.* Thames & Hudson, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500251835/) - [Salway, P. *A History of Roman Britain.* Oxford University Press, 2001.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0192801384/) ## About the Author James' main area of research is ancient Greek music, but he has general interests in mythology, religion, and art & archaeology. A self-confessed philhellene, James keeps at least one eye on the Roman pie. - [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/jan.vandercrabben@ancient.eu) ## Timeline - **43 CE**: Claudian invasion of [Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Britain/), includes the [Legio II Augusta](https://www.worldhistory.org/Legio_II_Augusta/). - **60 CE - 61 CE**: [Boudicca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Boudicca/) revolts, the [Legio II Augusta](https://www.worldhistory.org/Legio_II_Augusta/) does not respond to a call to arms. - **83 CE - 84 CE**: [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Mons Graupius, at which the [Legio II Augusta](https://www.worldhistory.org/Legio_II_Augusta/) was present, but did not fight at. - **208 CE - 211 CE**: [Septimius Severus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Septimius_Severus/) and [Caracalla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Caracalla/) campaign in [Scotland](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scotland/), much of the [Legio II Augusta](https://www.worldhistory.org/Legio_II_Augusta/) is deployed there. ## Cite This Work ### APA Lloyd, J. (2013, March 19). Legio II Augusta. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Legio\_II\_Augusta/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Legio_II_Augusta/) ### Chicago Lloyd, James. "Legio II Augusta." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 19, 2013. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Legio\_II\_Augusta/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Legio_II_Augusta/). ### MLA Lloyd, James. "Legio II Augusta." *World History Encyclopedia*, 19 Mar 2013, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Legio\_II\_Augusta/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Legio_II_Augusta/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [James Lloyd](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jtl203/ "User Page: James Lloyd"), published on 19 March 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). 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