A List of Legion NamesThis is not a complete list of all legions, but a listing of examples of legionary nick-names and their origins.

Name Origin of Name Time of Creation

I Adiutrix pia fidelis Assistant, i.e. raised to supplement the legionary strength Nero

I Italica Raised in Italy NeroI Macriana Raised by Clodius Macer NeroI Flavia Minervia After Minerva DomitianI Parthica Raised for campaigns in the East Severus

II Adiutrix pia fidelis Assistant, i.e. raised to supplement the legionary strength Vespasian

II Augusta Raised by Augustus AugustanII Italica pia Raised in Italy Marcus Aurelius in 165II Parthica Raised for campaigns in teh East SeverusII Traiana fortis Strong, raised by Trajan TrajanIII Augusta pia fidelis Formed by Augustus AugustanIII Cyrenaica Province where it gained distinction Pre-Augustan

III GallicaFrom the veterans of Caesar's Gallic legions

Pre-Augustan

III Italica concors United, raised in Italy Marcus Aurelius in 165III Parthica Raised for campaigns in the East SeverusIV Flavia firma Steadfast, raised by Vespasian Vespasian in AD 70IV Macedonica Province where it gained distinction AugustanIV Scythia Region where it gained distinction Pre-AugustanV Alaudae The Lark, raised by Caesar Pre AugustanV Macedonica Province where it gained distinction Pre-Augustan

VI Ferrata fidelis constans'Iron-sides', a nickname indicating their endurance

Pre-Augustan

VI VictrixVictorious, given after an outstanding victory

Pre-Augustan

VII Macedonica Claudia pia fidelisFor its loyalty to Claudius during a mutinyin AD 42

Pre-Augustan

VII Gemina One legion made out of two GalbaVIII Augusta Reconstituted by Augustus Pre-AugustanIX Hispana Province where it gained distinction Pre-Augustan

X FretensisFrom the naval war Octavian vs Sextus Pompeius

Pre-Augustan

X Gemina One legion made out of two Pre-Augustan

XI Claudia pia fidelisFor its loyalty to Claudius during a mutinyin AD 42

Pre-Augustan

XII Fulminata'Lighting-hurler', probably gained under Caesar

Pre-Augustan

XIII Gemina pia fidelis One legion made out of two AugustanXIV Gemina Martia Victrix One legion made out of two AugustanXV Apollinaris After the god Apollo AugustanXV Primigenia After Fortuna Primigenia Caligula or ClaudiusXVI Flavia firma Raised by Vespasian Vespasian in AD 70XVI Gallica Raised possibly under Drusus Augustan

XX Valeria VictrixGained distinction under Valerius Messalinus

Augustan

XXI Rapax 'Greedy' - sweeping everthing before it AugustanXXII Deiotariana Raised by Deiotarus AugustanXXII Primigenia pia fidelis After Fortuna Primigenia Caligula or ClaudiusXXX Ulpia victrix Raised by Trajan for use in Dacian wars Trajan