Legio I adiutrix in Hofheim am Taunus

Abstract

Several coins of Emporiae (Spain), countermarked with the legio I adiutrix symbol (a dolphin within a pearled circle), had been found in the earthen military camp of Hofheim. The same symbol is represented in the plinths of the legionary monument at Mainz. Here, these coins are interpreted as evidence for the arrival of the legio I from Spain in Hofheim in order to build the stone camp in AD 70. Similar coins were found in Ludwigshafen, Augusta Raurica and Vindonissa. It seems that these Emporian coins were minted in Flavian times and not in those of Tiberius or Caligula, as we previously assumed. The presented data point to Emporiae as an important base of the Roman navy in Spain.