What Roman Legion was in Syria?

Answer 1

Originally he Roman province of Syria had one legion. Over time the member was increased to five. Syria was the most military important military base of the Romans in Asia. It was the hub of the Roman military defence of the eastern frontiers of the Roman Empire which were the theatre of the repeated wars between wars between Rome and the Persian Empire. The governor of Syria was also responsible for co-ordinating the defence of the eastern frontiers and had responsibilities over four legions stationed in the nearby, even more frontline areas: one in the Roman province of Cappadocia, one in Nabataea, in the Roman province of Arabia Petraea (in the west of present day Jordan), , one in the Roman province of Mesopotamia (in northern Iraq) and one in the client kingdom of Lesser Armenia.

In 58 Vologases I of Parthia invade ancient Armenia, which was a client state of Rome. This led to the Roman Parthian War of 58-63. The Romans deployed four legions:

1) The legio VI (sexta) ferrata (sixth ironclad legion), was the first legion based in Syria. It was fist stationed in Samosata an ancient city in Commagene (in present day Turkey). Apart from two spells as a client kingdom, Commagene was part of the Roman province of Syria. After this war with the Persians it was stationed at Bosra, in Nabataea, in the Roman province of Arabia Petraea and in present day southern Syria. It was then moved to Legio, in Syria Palaestina.

2) The legio IV (quarta) scythica (fourth Scythian legion), was also redeployed from the Danube area. It was then stationed at Zeugma an ancient city in Commagene which became part of the Roman province of Syria.

3) The legio XXII (duodecima) fulminata (twelfth legion, armed with lightning). Shortly after this war it was deployed to fight in the Great Jewish Revolt of 66-73. In 70, towards the end of the revolt, the emperor Vespasian stationed this legion at Melitene (in present day eastern Turkey). It was in the Roman province of Cappadocia, on the border of the kingdom of Greater Armenia, which was disputed between the Romans and the Persians.

4) The legio XV (quinta) decima apollinaris (fifteenth apollonian legion) was also redeployed from the Danube area. After this war it was sent to Alexandria but was soon deployed to fight in the Great Jewish Revolt of 66-73. It was sent back to Carnuntum, in the Danube area, where it had been stationed before its deployment in Asia. In 115 it was deployed in Mesopotamia (Iraq) for another war against the Parthian (Persian) Empire. Alter this it was stationed at Satala, in Lesser Armenia, a client kingdom which bordered with the kingdom of Armenia, which was disputed between the Romans and the Persians

The legio III (tertia) gallica (third Gallic legion) was deployed to fight in the Great Jewish Revolt of 66-73. It was then stationed at Raphana, which then was in Syria. Now it is in present day Jordan.

The legio XVI (sexta decima) flavia firma (sixteenth steadfast flavian legion) was created by in 70 with the remains of the XVI Gallica (which had surrendered in the Batavian rebellion). He stationed it at Samosata, in in Commagene (in present day Turkey). Apart from two spells as a client kingdom, Commagene was part of the Roman province of Syria. This was a client kingdom which bordered with the kingdom of Armenia, which was disputed between the Romans and the Persians.

In 197 the emperor Septimius Severus levied three legions and redeployed a fourth one for is his campaign against Parthian (Persian) Empire. One of them was stationed in Italy and the other fought in Asia. They were:

The legio I (prima) parthica (first Parthian legion), which was then stationed at Singara at the northern extremity of Mesopotamia (Iraq). It was moved to Constantina, in south-eastern Turkey, in 363.

The legio III (tertia) parthica (third Parthian legion). It was then stationed at Resaina, in Syria.

The legio III (tertia) Cyrenaica (third Cyrenean legion), which was redeployed from Egypt. It was then garrisoned at Bosra in Nabataea, in the Roman province of Arabia Petraea and in present day southern Syria.