Legio
Encyclopedia
Legio was a Roman Catholic titular see
in the former Roman province
of Palestina Secunda, which was suffragan of Scythopolis
It figures for the first time in a Latin episcopal notitia, dating probably from the eleventh century, where it is given under the name of Legionum, between the Bishoprics of Diocæsarea and Capitolias (Tobler and Molinier, "Itinera Hierosolymitana", I, Geneva, 1880, 343). If, however, we consult the Greek Notitiæ Episcopatuum, of which the Latin is only a translation, we find in that place, not Legio, but Maximianopolis
. The see of Legio is, therefore, identical with Maximianopolis.
In the Middle Ages both cities were identified, being near neighbours, though really distinct places in the same see. Legio became Lajjun
, well known in the Bible and in history under the name of Megiddo.
as part of his master's thesis. The survey located the legionary camp of the Legio VI Ferrata
on the northern slope of the El-Manach hill, the village of Ceparcotani on the adjacent hill, and the city of Maximianopolis on the site of the contemporary Kibbutz Megiddo.
Titular see
A titular see in various churches is an episcopal see of a former diocese that no longer functions, sometimes called a "dead diocese". The ordinary or hierarch of such a see may be styled a "titular bishop", "titular metropolitan", or "titular archbishop"....
in the former Roman province
Roman province
In Ancient Rome, a province was the basic, and, until the Tetrarchy , largest territorial and administrative unit of the empire's territorial possessions outside of Italy...
of Palestina Secunda, which was suffragan of Scythopolis
It figures for the first time in a Latin episcopal notitia, dating probably from the eleventh century, where it is given under the name of Legionum, between the Bishoprics of Diocæsarea and Capitolias (Tobler and Molinier, "Itinera Hierosolymitana", I, Geneva, 1880, 343). If, however, we consult the Greek Notitiæ Episcopatuum, of which the Latin is only a translation, we find in that place, not Legio, but Maximianopolis
Maximianopolis
Maximianopolis can refer to:* Maximianopolis * Maximianopolis * Maximianopolis...
. The see of Legio is, therefore, identical with Maximianopolis.
In the Middle Ages both cities were identified, being near neighbours, though really distinct places in the same see. Legio became Lajjun
Lajjun
Lajjun was a Palestinian Arab village of nearly 1,300 people located northwest of Jenin. The village along with nearby Umm al-Fahm and seven hamlets, had a total land area of 77,242 dunams or , of which were built-up, while the rest was used for agricultural purposes...
, well known in the Bible and in history under the name of Megiddo.
Recent research
In 2002–2003 an archaeological survey was made in the Legio region by Yotam TepperYotam Tepper
Yotam Tepper is an Israeli archaeologist who discovered the Megiddo church complex, the oldest Christian house of worship ever discovered, under the modern Megiddo prison. Dated to the middle of the 3rd century AD, it is believed to be the earliest Christian site of worship ever discovered...
as part of his master's thesis. The survey located the legionary camp of the Legio VI Ferrata
Legio VI Ferrata
Legio sexta Ferrata , was a Roman Legion formed in 65 BC, and in existence up to at least 3rd century. A Legio VI fought in the Roman Republican civil wars of the 40s and 30s BC...
on the northern slope of the El-Manach hill, the village of Ceparcotani on the adjacent hill, and the city of Maximianopolis on the site of the contemporary Kibbutz Megiddo.