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Legio I Maximiana




The I ''Maximiana'' was formed together with II ''Flavia Constantia'' , to garrison the newly created province Thebaidos , in Aegyptus . The legion is also known as ''Maximiana Thebanorum'' or '''''Thebaeorum''''' ("Maximian legion of the Thebans"). Since no Legio I ''Maximiana'' is listed as being stationed at Thebes in the '' Notitia Dignitatum '', the designation is interpreted more broadly as of the Thebaid in general. The Cognomen ''Maximiana'' originated from Maximian , Diocletian's colleague.

In 354 , I ''Maximiana'' was in Thrace, in the neighborhood of Adrianople (modern Edirne ). Thus it is likely that it fought in the Battle Of Adrianople , in 378 , when emperor Valens was defeated by Goths . According to '' Notitia Dignitatum '', the I ''Maximiana Thebanorum'' was still under Thracian command ('' Magister Militum per Thracias'') at the beginning of the 5th Century , while the I ''Maximiana'' was in Filae (Egypt, south of Aswan ), under the '' Dux Thebaidos''.

There exists also a purely legendary Theban Legion in the Legend of Saint Maurice from the 5th century. According to that tradition, this (''Prima Maximiana Thebanorum'') was a legion from Thebes that was ordered to move by Maximian. Thus it is sometimes related to I ''Maximiana Thebanorum''. However, according to tradition, the Theban Legion of Saint Maurice was martyred in 286 , while the I ''Maximiana'' was not founded until ten years later.

See also List Of Roman Legions .


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