During the
Batavian rebellion, the IV
Macedonica fought for Vespasian, but the
emperor distrusted his men, probably because they had supported
Vitellius two years before. Therefore, IV
Macedonica was disbanded, and a new Fourth legion, called
Flavian Felix, was levied by the emperor, who gave the legio his
nomen,
Flavia. Since the symbol of the legion is a lion, it was probably levied in July/August 70. IV
Flavia Felix was camped in
Burnum,
Dalmatia (modern
Kistanje), where it replaced
XI Claudia. After the Dacian invasion of 86,
Domitian moved the legion to
Singidunum (modern
Belgrade in Moesia Superior, although there is some evidence of the presence of this legion, of one of its
vexillationes in
Viminacium (near modern-day
Kostolac, Serbia), base of
VII Claudia. In 89 the Fourth participated to the retaliation invasion of
Dacia (see
Domitian's Dacian War). It also participated in the
Dacian Wars of
Trajan, being victorious at the
Second Battle of Tapae. The legion also participated at the final and decisive battle against the Dacians, conquering their capital,
Sarmisegetusa. It built its legionary fortress at
Bersobis in Dacia in 108 where it was based until its return to Singidunum in 118/119. Monuments of IV Flavia Felix have been found at
Aquincum (Budapest). This suggests that a subunit replaced II Adiutrix during its absence during the wars of Lucius Verus against the Parthian empire (162–166). , Romania In the
Marcomannic Wars (166–180), the fourth fought on the Danube against the Germanic tribes. After the death of
Pertinax, the IV
Flavia Felix supported
Septimius Severus against usurpers
Pescennius Niger and
Clodius Albinus. The legion may have fought in one of the
several wars against the
Sassanids, but stayed in Moesia Superior until the first half of the 5th century. == Attested members ==