The Legio I Illyricorum was a Roman Legion stationed in Qasr el-Azraq and Palmyra; it is mentioned in the Notitia Dignitatum.[1] According to many ancient sources, it was stationed within the Eastern Half of the Roman Empire, under emperor Aurelian.
This Legio I Ilyricorum was founded by the Roman Emperor Aurelian.[2][3] The legion was made up entirely of soldiers who lived near the Danube river.[4][5] In either 272 or 273 the legion would fight under Aurelian against the Palmyrene Empire.[4][6] After the defeat of the Palmyrene Empire the legion remained in the east. They were based in Qasr el-Azraq and garrisoned Palmyra.[4][5][6][7] The purpose of the legion was to prevent any more uprisings. During Diocletian's and Galerius' reigns the legion was transferred to the Camp of Diocletian near Palmyra.[8][9] During the reign of emperor Licinius soldiers from the I Illyricorum would be transferred to Egypt and Cyrene. The commander of the soldiers at the time was Victorinus.[5] Later, the Legion was transferred back to Palmyra.[6] Sometime in the third century a unit of Moorish cavalry from the I Illyricorum would replace the Legio X Fretensis in Eilat.[10]
Name | Rank | Time Frame | Source |
---|---|---|---|
Victorinus | Dux | Unknown | [6] |
Aurelius Onesimus | Legionary | Unknown | [6] |