Bath (157; tombstone), Colchester (203; tombstone), Lincoln (253, 258; tombstones), Chester (475-485; tombstones).
This legion was raised from marines of the Mediterranean fleet at Ravenna during the tumultous year of AD69, probably by Vespasian or his supporters, shortly after Legio I Adiutrix was raised by Nero from sailors at Misenum, the latter unit later commandeered by Galba. The word Adiutrix means 'assistant, helper', in other words these legions were raised to supplement the existing legionary strength. Most of the sailors in the Roman fleet originated from amongst the sea-faring peoples of the eastern Mediterranean and had a normal service period of twenty-six years, a year longer than the Auxiliaries, and therefore belonged to a subservient branch in the Roman Military hierarchy. Many sailors would have jumped at the chance being offered, for service in the legions, although tough, was of shorter duration than the auxilia and was much more lucrative, being paid higher salaries.
During the revolt of the German armies under Julius Civilis in 69/70, Legio II Adiutrix formed part of the army of nine legions under the joint command of Quintus Petilius Cerialis and Apppius Annius Gallus, sent by the new emperor Vespasian to settle the dispute. The imperial legions involved in this conflict were; II Adiutrix, VIII Augusta, XI Claudia, XIII Gemina and XXI Rapax from Italy (all but the last being part of the victorious army from the second battle of Cremona), together with I Adiutrix, VI Victrix and X Gemina from Spain also XIV Gemina from Britain.
Following the revolt of the Brigantes under Venutius in AD71, Legio II Adiutrix was despatched with the new governor Petillius Cerialis to Britain. They appear to have been used as a reserve force, being stationed at Lindum, replacing Legio IX Hispana, which Cerialis moved to Eburacum.
The next governor of Britain, Gnaeus Julius Agricola, immediately upon arrival in his new domain, set about reorganising the existing legions in preparation for his planned conquest of the Caledonian tribes. He moved Legio II Adiutrix from Lincoln to the mouth of the River Dee on the northern Welsh border, where they were to construct a legionary fortress at Deva (Chester). This energetic governor then defeated the Ordovices tribe in North Wales and conquered the Isle of Mona (Anglesey) all during his first year in office.
It is very likely that the cream of II Adiutrix soldiers were used in the Welsh campaigns of Agricola, while their comrades toiled to construct the fortress on the Dee. It may also be possible that the first cohort at least accompanied the governor throughout his campaigns in Scotland. This is purely speculation, as no documentary or epigraphic evidence has been found that places II Adiutrix in either Wales or Scotland at this time.
The bulk of the legion were again used as a reserve force while the action occurred far to the north of Scotland throughout AD78-86. When Agricola was recalled from Britain by Domitian, Legio II Adiutrix were also removed from Britain, to be replaced at Chester by Legio XX Valeria Victrix which had to be removed from Scotland, abandoning their partly-constructed legionary fortress at Inchtuthill.
The finding of the tombstone of a cavalry officer in the eques of Legio II Adiutrix, attached to the century of Petronius Fidus; attested the presence of the legion at Chester. (RIB481/29)
Decebalus caused the tribes in Dacia to revolt in AD85, and the first Dacian campaign of Domitian, under the command of the praetorian prefect, Cornelius Fuscus, ended in disaster in AD86. Legio II Adiutrix was moved from Britain, together with IV Flavia from Dalmatia and I Adiutrix from Germany to strengthen the Dacian Frontier. These legions were used during the victorious campaign of governor Tettius Julianus in AD88, when Roman victory was secured at Tapae.
II Adiutrix were based at Singidunum (modern Belgrade) together with Legio IV Flavia during Trajan's Dacian campaigns of c.AD105.
The legion was moved from Singidunum to Aquincum c.AD106, when parts of the Dacian army were redistributed to allow Trajan to continue with his ill-fated Parthian campaign. The future emperor Hadrian served as a military tribune in Legio II Adiutrix during these campaigns (vide Aelius Spartianus The Augustan History Hadrian.2).
Between AD171 to 173 Legio II Adiutrix was active in the Dacian campaigns of Marcus Aurelius, during which time they were stationed at Trencin in Czechoslovakia, sixty miles beyond the Danube.
