Who Was the Historical Legio II Adiutrix? Early in 70 AD, the emperor Vespasian conscripted naval marines stationed in Ravenna into a new unit to thank them for siding with him during the civil war of the previous year. This new unit was named Legio II Adiutrix, and was given the surname of Pia Fidelis ("Loyal and Faithful") in honor of their loyalty to the emperor. Legio II Adiutrix was given the Capricorn and the Pegasus as its symbols. Soon after its formation, II Adiutrix, under the command of Quintus Petillius Cerialis, was sent by Vespasian to suppress the Batavian Revolt in Germania Inferior. The campaign was successful, and the following year the legion was sent to Britania. Inscriptions show that II Adiutrix was stationed in Deva and Lindum for its first years in Britania, and served as one of provincial governor Gnaeus Julius Agricola's strategic reserve units in the province. In 87 AD II Adiutrix was sent to fight in the Dacian wars for the emperor Domitian. The legion was probably stationed in Acumincum, or possibly Sirmium, during this campaign. Publius Aelius Hadrianus served as one of II Adiutrix's military tribunes in 94/95. He later became the emperor Hadrian. During the Dacian Wars fought during the reign of the emperor Trajan, II Adiutrix was stationed in Singidunum. In 107, after the Dacians had been subdued, II Adiutrix was transferred to Aquincum, where they would be stationed for the next few centuries. The majority of the legionnaires who served with II Adiutrix after the Dacian Wars were recruited locally, which was unusual for the time (most legionnaires were sent away from their home province). II Adiutrix was involved in many civic building projects during its time in Pannonia Interior, including roads and public buildings. Just because II Adiutrix was stationed somewhere did not mean that it was not actively fighting for the glory of Rome! In 118, under the command of Quintus Marcius Turbo, it successfully fought against the Sarmatians. It fought against the Parthians from 162-166 for the emperor Lucius Verus. Emperor Marcus Aurelius also employed the II Adiutrix, and they fought for him in his northern wars. II Adiutrix supported Lucius Septimus Severus, governor of Pannonia Superior, in 193 during his fight to become emperor. They also served in campaigns against the Alamanni and the Sasanian Empire in the following years.