Roman Legion - Legio XXI Rapax

Багерман А.Я.

Legio XXI Rapax The Twenty-First Swift Legion was a Roman legion formed by Octavian Augustus during the Republic.

Dates of existence: 31 BC – 92 AD.

Symbol: Capricorn.

Nicknames: Rapax (Predator/Swift)

Battle Path

• The legion was created by Octavian Augustus in 31 BC immediately after his victory at the Battle of Actium against Mark Antony. Upon formation, it received the nickname Rapax (Predator/Swift).

• During the reign of Emperor Octavian Augustus, Legio XXI Rapax possibly participated in the Cantabrian Wars (29-19 BC) - Rome's wars against the Spanish tribes of the Astures and Cantabri.

• In 15 BC, the legion took part in the conquest of Raetia (the westernmost of the Danubian provinces of the Roman Empire, part of the Italian diocese. Today it includes parts of modern-day Baden, Württemberg, Bavaria, part of Switzerland, Tyrol, and part of Lombardy) as part of Tiberius's army (adopted son of Augustus and the next Emperor of Rome). In Raetia, the legion camped at Regina Castra (modern-day Regensburg, Germany).

• In 6 AD, the legion participated in Tiberius's military campaign against the Germanic tribe of the Marcomanni along the Danube.

• After the destruction of three Roman legions under Varus in 9 AD, Legio XXI Rapax was transferred to Xanten (Germany) to maintain order and control over the tribes of the Batavi and Cugerni. Legio XXI Rapax also participated in Rome's retaliatory strikes against the Germans for the defeat in the Teutoburg Forest. This campaign was led by Germanicus (11 AD, 14-17 AD).

• In 21 AD, Legio XXI Rapax took part in suppressing the revolt of the Gallic tribe of the Turoni in Gaul (now France).

• During the reign of Emperor Caligula (37-41 AD), Legio XXI Rapax participated in Caligula's German campaign.

• In the Year of the Four Emperors (68-69 AD), Legio XXI Rapax supported Vitellius and participated in the battles of Bedriacum (in April 69 AD, Vitellius's troops defeated Emperor Otho's forces and seized power in the country. The battle took place near the village of Bedriacum in northern Italy) and Cremona (October 69 AD, in northern Italy).

• In 70 AD, Legio XXI Rapax participated in suppressing the Batavian revolt, personally engaging in battles at Augusta Treverorum (now Trier, Germany) and at Castra Vetera (Xanten, Germany) in July 70 AD.

• After suppressing the Batavian revolt, in 71 AD, the legion camped in Bonn (modern-day Bonn, Germany), and in 83 AD, the legion was transferred to Moguntiacum (modern-day Mainz, Germany).

• In 89 AD, together with Legio XIIII Gemina Martia Victrix, it supported the governor of Upper Germany, Antonius Saturninus, who rebelled against Emperor Domitian (reigned 81-96 AD), but the rebellion was soon suppressed by the legions of Lower Germany.

• The legions that supported the rebellion were divided and sent to the most dangerous sections of the province's border. Legio XXI Rapax was transferred to Pannonia (a Roman province located in the region of Central Europe, on the territory of modern-day Hungary, eastern Austria, northern Slovenia, northern Croatia, northeastern Serbia, northern Bosnia and Herzegovina). Here it met its "end" when the province was invaded by Sarmatian tribes in 92 AD and Legio XXI Rapax was destroyed in battle on the Middle Danube.

Related topics

List of Roman Legions, Legion, Legionnaire, Legio XIIII Gemina Martia Victrix, Octavian Augustus, Year of the Five Emperors

Literature

1. Danldo-Collins. "Roman Legions. A Complete History of the Roman Legions."

2. R. Cagna. "A Brief History of Various Legions."

3. F. Berard, "La légion XXIe Rapax," in: Yann Le Bohec, Les légions de Rome sous le Haut-Empire (2000 Lyon) 49-67

4. L. Rossi, "Legio XXI Rapax ... atque Infidelis?", in: Yann Le Bohec, "Le Légion Romain et l'Empire Suprême" (2000 Lyon) 491-498.

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