Pia Fidelis
Encyclopedia
Pia Fidelis, Latin feminine form for "pious and faithful", was the cognomen
of several Roman legions, awarded by an emperor when the legion had proved "devoted and loyal". Some legions received this honour several times, and their name included the number of awards.
Cognomen
The cognomen nōmen "name") was the third name of a citizen of Ancient Rome, under Roman naming conventions. The cognomen started as a nickname, but lost that purpose when it became hereditary. Hereditary cognomina were used to augment the second name in order to identify a particular branch within...
of several Roman legions, awarded by an emperor when the legion had proved "devoted and loyal". Some legions received this honour several times, and their name included the number of awards.
- Legio I AdiutrixLegio I AdiutrixLegio prima Adiutrix , was a Roman legion formed in 68, possibly by Galba under orders of Nero. The last record mentioning the Adiutrix is in 344, when it was stationed at Brigetio , in the Roman province of Pannonia...
Pia Fidelis Bis ("twice loyal and faithful") - I MinerviaLegio I MinerviaLegio I Minervia was a Roman legion levied by emperor Domitian in 82, for the campaign against the Germanic tribe of the Chatti. Its cognomen is related to the goddess Minerva, the legion's protector. There are still records of the I Minervia in the Rhine border in the middle of the 4th century...
Pia Fidelis Domitiana ("loyal and faithful to DomitianDomitianDomitian was Roman Emperor from 81 to 96. Domitian was the third and last emperor of the Flavian dynasty.Domitian's youth and early career were largely spent in the shadow of his brother Titus, who gained military renown during the First Jewish-Roman War...
") - II AdiutrixLegio II AdiutrixLegio secunda Adiutrix , was a Roman legion levied by emperor Vespasian in 70, from Roman navy marines of the classis Ravennatis. There are still records of II Adiutrix in the Rhine border in the beginning of the 4th century...
- III ItalicaLegio III ItalicaLegio tertia Italica was a Roman legion levied by Marcus Aurelius around 165, for his campaign against the Marcomanni tribe. The cognomen Italica suggests that recruits were originally from Italy. The legion was still active in Raetia and other provinces in the early 5th century Legio tertia...
VII Pia VII Fidelis ("seven times faithful and loyal") - V MacedonicaLegio V MacedonicaLegio quinta Macedonica was a Roman legion. It was probably originally levied by consul Gaius Vibius Pansa Caetronianus and Octavian in 43 BC, and it was stationed in Moesia at least until 5th century. Its symbol was the bull, but the eagle was used as well...
VII Pia VII Fidelis - VII ClaudiaLegio VII ClaudiaLegio septima Claudia Pia Fidelis was a Roman legion. Its emblem, like that of all Caesar's legions, was the bull, together with the lion....
VII Pia VII Fidelis ("seven times faithful and loyal") - X GeminaLegio X GeminaLegio decima Gemina , was one of the four legions used by Julius Caesar in 58 BC, for his invasion of Gaul. There are still records of the X Gemina in Vienna in the beginning of the 5th century. The legion symbol was a bull...
Pia Fidelis Domitiana ("faithful and loyal to Domitian") - XI ClaudiaLegio XI ClaudiaLegio undecima Claudia was a Roman legion. XI Claudia dates back to the two legions recruited by Julius Caesar to invade Gallia in 58 BC, and it existed at least until early 5th century, guarding lower Danube in Durostorum...
Pia VI Fidelis VI ("six times faithful and loyal")