Legio XXII Primigenia Roman Vexillum

Legio XXII Primigenia was established by Emperor Caligula in 39 AD and remained one of the pillars of the Roman army on the Rhine until the early 4th century. Dedicated to the goddess Fortuna Primigenia, its emblems were the capricorn and the figure of Hercules.

Created alongside its twin, XV Primigenia, for a campaign in Germany and possibly Britain, it was stationed along the Germanic Limes, with its permanent headquarters at Mogontiacum, modern-day Mainz. Here, the XXII was tasked with guarding the Rhine and supporting operations against Germanic tribes. In 69 AD, it supported Vitellius during the Year of the Four Emperors and distinguished itself during the Batavian revolt: under the command of Gaius Dillius Vocula, it was the only Germanic legion to maintain its camp and continue the defense of Mogontiacum.

During the Imperial Age, it took part in numerous campaigns, including the Parthian Wars and the Marcomannic Wars, earning honorary titles such as Pia Fidelis and, in the Constantinian era, Primigenia CV (probably Constantiana Victrix). In 268, it fought at Naissus against the Goths; the following year, its commander Lelianus proclaimed himself Emperor of the Gauls but was quickly defeated by Postumus. The legion is still attested at the beginning of the 4th century but disappears from sources after the reign of Constantine, possibly destroyed in one of the great battles of the period.