[1437]
Legio II of Cn. Pompeius is exceptionally mentioned here, as proven by inscriptions. CIL III.6541a from Athens runs: “
N(umerius) Granonius N(umerii) f(ilius) Gal(eria) domo Luceria IIIIvir, centurion Cornelei Spinteri legio(ne) XIIX et C(naei) Pompei Mag(nei) legione secunda”. The officer joined the legion when his home town was the headquarters of Pompeius. The legion supposedly was garrisoned in Spain Ulterior, which fell under the command of Terentius Varro. After he surrendered to Caesar, the legion stayed in the province under Caesar’s legates Q. Cassius and C. Trebonius (
Bellum Alexandrinum 53.4, 54.3, 57.1.3). That the surrendered citizen-legion of Varro was not allocated its number II
until Caesar, is presented without evidence in v.Domaszewski
N. Heidelberger Jahrb. IV.169 Anm.2, but this is based upon an unknown Pompeian census. If Pompeius as a consul actually did have Legio I and Legio III, as v.Domaszewski thinks, then he would not have allocated Legio XV, which was transferred from Caesar to him in 50 BC, the number III (Caesar,
Bellum Civile III.88.2).
Legio II must have left its province, in which it had almost became native through its years-long stay (
Bellum Alexandrinum 53.5), during the lifetime of Caesar to take part in the planned Parthian war. At the time of Caesar’s murder, it was one of the six legions which where stationed in Macedonia. Four of these where transferred to Antonius in Italy. Resisting the temptations of the young Caesar, she remained loyal to Antonius and was destroyed in the battle at Forum Gallorum (Cicero,
Ad familiares X.30).
