Imperial Roman Legionary AD 161-284

Between AD 101 and 284 the Roman legions were involved in wars and battles on an epic scale. Legions were destroyed in battle (e.g. IX Hispana). disbanded for rebellion (III Augusta), and formed to wage wars of conquest and defence (II. III Italica, I—III Parthica). For the first time a legion was stationed in Italy itself. Legio II Parthica. raised by Septimins Severus in 193-94, was based at Albanum near Rome and as the emperor's personal legion became one of the most important units in the empire. Above all. this was a period of crisis. The Empire faced unprecedented assaults by Germans, Goths and Persians, and suffered doublv from ceaseless civil wars. The legionary svstem almost broke under the strain, yet by the close of this period, the Romans had defeated their major enemies and reunited the empire. This was achieved with armies based on legionary vexillations (combat detachments), led by emperors who had risen from the ranks of the army, and were determined not to repeal the mistakes of the past.
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