Legio II Parthica

Legio II Parthica
Antonininaus of Gallienus. Reverse shows centaur and the inscription "LEG II PART VI P VI F".
Active197 to sometime in the 5th century
CountryRoman Empire
TypeRoman legion (Marian)
RoleInfantry assault (some cavalry support)
SizeVaried over unit lifetime. Approx. 5,500 fighting men + support at the time of creation.
Garrison/HQCastra Albana, Italia (197–218)
Apamea, Syria (218–234)
Moguntiacum, Germania Superior (234–238)
Castra Albana (238 – beginning of the 4th century)
Bezabde, Mesopotamia (in 360)
Cepha, Mesopotamia (c. 400)
Nickname(s)Parthica, "Parthian" (since 197)
Pia Fidelis Felix Aeterna, "forever faithful, loyal and blest" (since 218)
V Fidelis V Pia, "Five times loyal, five times faithful" (253/260)
VI Fidelis VI Pia, "Six times loyal, six times faithful" (before 260)
Mascot(s)Bull and centaur
EngagementsSeptimius Severus Parthian campaign (197)
Severus Britannic campaign (208–211)
Caracalla Alamannic campaign (213)
Battle of Antioch (218)
Alexander Severus Sassanid campaign (231)
Siege of Bezabde (360)
vexillationes participated in many other campaigns
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Septimius Severus (campaign)
Caracalla (campaign)
Alexander Severus (campaign)

Legio II Parthica ("Parthian-conquering Second Legion") was a legion of the Imperial Roman army founded in AD 197 by the emperor Septimius Severus (r. 193–211), for his campaign against the Parthian Empire, hence the cognomen Parthica. The legion was still active in the beginning of the 5th century. The legion's symbol was a centaur.