Demise of Legio XXII Deiotariana

Demise of Legio XXII Deiotariana is an unresolved historical issue concerning disappearance of a Roman legion in the second century of the common era. The last certain record of XXII Deiotariana is from the year 119. In 145, when a list of all existing legions was made, XXII Deiotariana was not listed. Whether the legion was disbanded on administrative grounds or was destroyed during conflict remains uncertain.

It is generally proposed that XXII Deiotariana suffered serious losses during the Jewish rebellion of Simon bar Kokhba.[1] According to Peter Schafer's 2003 book, "The disappearance of the Legio XXII Deiotariana in connection with the Bar Kokhba Revolt is uncertain and not generally accepted as fact."[2] Evidence from Caesarea Maritima gained support from a number of scholars interpreting the aqueduct reparation inscription made c.133-134 as mentioning Legio XXII Deiotariana.[3] If indeed connected with the legion, the inscription sets the last known location to Judean province during the Bar Kokhba revolt and making the war the most plausible explanation to the legion's disappearance. According to Isaac and Roll, the fact the inscription was apparently deliberately erased was an intentional damnatio memoriae because of Legio XXII's defeat.[3] However, according to Negev, the inscription may be attributed to either Legio Ferrata or Legio Deiotariana.

See also

References
  1. L. J. F. Keppie (2000) Legions and veterans: Roman army papers 1971–2000 Franz Steiner Verlag, ISBN 3-515-07744-8 pp. 228–229
  2. Peter Schäfer (2003) The Bar Kokhba War Reconsidered: New Perspectives on the Second Jewish Revolt Against Rome Mohr Siebeck ISBN 3-16-148076-7 p. 118
  3. Mor, M. (2016) The Second Jewish Revolt: The Bar Kokhba War, 132-136 CE. p. 200-201.
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