A real historical unit called Legio XXI Rapax or Legio Vigesima Prima Rapax (Rapacious Twenty-First Legion) was a legion of Imperial Roman army.
It was founded between 41 and 31 BC by Caesar Augustus in Spain (probably by transforming Pompeian legion Indigena)
In the years 27-25 BC Rapax took part in the campaign against the Cantabrians when a new province Hispania Tarraconensis was formed.
Legio XXI was a part of the army led by Drusus through the Alps to conquest Raetia. From 15 BC the legion was stationed in Castra Regina (Regensburg) in the newly established province.
From 6 to 9 A.D. Rapax served under Tiberius in a campaign against Marcomani.In the years 27-25 BC Rapax took part in the campaign against the Cantabrians when a new province Hispania Tarraconensis was formed.
Legio XXI was a part of the army led by Drusus through the Alps to conquest Raetia. From 15 BC the legion was stationed in Castra Regina (Regensburg) in the newly established province.
After the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, the legion was sent as reinforcements to Germania Inferior, and stadioned in Castra Vetera (modern Xanten), where the retaliating campaign against Germanic tribes under command of Germanicus was prepared.
In 14 A.D. Legio XXI was involved in the mutiny against proclaiming Tiberius the heir of Augustus. Loyal Germanicus put the mutiny to a quick end by sending troops to fight beyond Rhine. And after successful campaing he relocated LXXIR to new quarters in Novaesium (Neuss).
From 43 A.D. Rapax was stationed in Vindonissa in the province of Germania Superior.
And from castrvm in Vindonissa Legio XXI started its march on Rome as a part of Vitellius army (composed of Rhine legions) to support claims of the commander to Emperor's throne in the Year of the Four Emperors (69 A.D).
Rapax fought in both battles of Bedriacum. The first battle against emperor Otho's legions was victorius. But the second one went far worst for Rapax. Vitelius' army was defeated by legions of Vespasian.
Next year the new emperor Vespasian sent Legio XXI as a part of a huge army to deal with the Batavian rebellion. After short campaign Rapax stationed in Moguntiacum camp (modern day Mainz) with Legio XIV Gemina.
In 89 A.D., the legions of Moguntiacum supported their commander, Lucius Antonius Saturninus, in his revolt against emperor Domitian. After the quick end of this fruitless insurrection, the legions were separated and XXI Rapax sent to Pannonia.
In 92 A.D. Legio XXI Rapax steped out from the charts of history.
Maybe the Legion was destroyed while fighting against the Dacians, the Sarmatians or the Roxolani. Maybe disbanded by emperor Domitian for its recent mutiny.
We don't know how it happened but over 120 years of tough fighting, troublesome choices and relentlessness for the glory of Rome came to an end.
No comments:
Post a Comment