This is a list of Roman legions, including key facts about each legion, primarily focusing on the Principate legions, for which there exists substantial literary, epigraphic and archaeological evidence. When Augustus became sole ruler in 31 BC, he disbanded about half of the over 50 legions then in existence. The remaining 28 legions became the core of the early Imperial army of the Principate , most lasting over three centuries. Augustus and his immediate successors transformed legions into permanent units, staffed by entirely career soldiers on standard 25-year terms. During the Dominate period , legions were also professional, but are little understood due to scarcity of evidence compared to the Principate. What is clear is that late legions were radically different in size, structure, and tactical role from their predecessors, despite several retaining early period names. This was the result of the military reforms of Emperors Diocletian and Constantine I, and of further developments during the 4th century. The legions were identified by Roman numerals, though the spelling sometimes differed from the modern standard. For example, in addition to the spellings IV, IX, XIV, XVIII and XIX, the respective spellings IIII, VIIII, XIIII, XIIX and XVIIII were commonly used.
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