Legio XXI Rapax

• The Legio XXI Rapax was founded by Octavian in 31 BCE.
• The Legion was destroyed in Dacia in 92 CE.

Regimental Details

• Creation:
  • 31 BCE Levied by Octavian.
• Dates:
  • 31 BCE-92 CE.
• Fortress Bases:
  • Regensburg (Castra Regina) (16 BCE-9 CE)
  • Xanten, Castra Vetera, Germania Inferior (9-43 CE)
  • Windisch (Vindonissa) (43-69 CE)
  • Bonn (Bonna) (70-83 CE)
  • Mainz (Moguntiacum) (83-89 CE)
  • Pannonia (89-92 CE)
• Title:
  • ‘Rapax’ meaning ‘Twenty first Predator Legion’.
• Emblems:
  • The Capricorn, possibly.
• Notable Commanders:
  • Vitellius
• Structure of the Legion:
  • Roman Legion
  • Roman Army
  • Roman Weapons

Chronology

Early Campaigns:

• 25-16 BCE Campaigned in Hispania during the Cantabrian Wars.

Posting in Raetia (16 BCE-9 CE)

• 16-15 BCE Quelled the Revolt in Raetia.
• 15 BCE Set up base at Regensburg (Castra Regina), Raetia.

Posting in Germania Inferior (9-43 CE)

• 9 CE Moved to Xanten (Castra Vetera), Double Fortress, Germania Inferior, shared with the Legio V Alaudae.
• 14 CE Both Legions involved in a Rebellion.
• 21 CE Quelled the Revolt of the Turoni in Gaul, who had a rebelled against a harsh pair of Tax Collectors.

Posting in Germania Superior (43-69 CE)

• 43-69 CE Legion moved to Windisch (Vindonissa), Germania Superior.
• 47 CE The Legion rebuilt the Vindonissa Fortress in stone (Previously a wooden fort)
• 69 CE During the Year of the Four Emperors the Legion supported Vitellius as The Roman Emperor, marched across the Alps and defeated Otho at Cremona, and then entered Rome. But it was subsequently defeated by Vespasian.
• 70 CE Sent to relieve the besieged Legions during the Batavian Revolt.

Return to Germania Inferior (70-83 CE)

• 70-83 CE Moved to Bonn (Bonna).

Return to Germania Superior (83-89 CE)

• 83-89 CE Moved to Mainz (Moguntiacum Double Fortress), Germania Superior, with the Legio XIV Gemina.
• 89 CE Both Legions supported the Revolt of their Commander, Lucius Antonius Saturninus, against Domitian.

Posting in Pannonia (89-92 CE)

• 89 CE Sent to Pannonia.
• 92 CE Destroyed in Dacia by the Dacians and Sarmatians. Trajan later defeated them and erected the Tropaeum Traiani on the same place the Legio XXI Rapax had been defeated, to commemorate his subsequent victory.

Conclusion

• 92 CE Destroyed in Dacia by the Sarmatians and Dacians.
• In 109 CE Trajan built the Tropaeum Traiani, a Monument to celebrate his 102 CE Battle of Tapae victory over the Dacians. It was built on the same battlefield where the Legio XXI Rapax had been lost.

Castra Vetera, Xanten, Germany