Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Legio XXI Rapax

Legio XXI Rapax, also known as the Twenty First Rapacious Legion, was founded by Augustus and its emblem was a Capricorn.

(c) Nice Captain

Cognomen: Rapax
Emblem: Capricorn
Major Campaigns: Pannonian Revolt (6-9 AD); Tiberius’ German campaign (10-14 AD); Germanicus’ German campaign (15-17 AD); Revolt of Sacrovir (21 AD); Bedriacum (69 AD); Batavian Revolt (69-70 AD) Domitian’s campaign against the Chatti (83 AD); Saturninus’ Revolt (89 AD)
Main HQ: Vetera (Xanten, Germany)

Early Service

There is little evidence for the early history of Legio XXI Rapax. It may have been founded by Octavian before Actium or for Augustus’ conquest of the Alps. It may have also taken part in the Cantabrian Wars, 26-19 BC.

After 15 BC, Legio XXI Rapax was stationed at Castra Regina (Regensburg) in the newly formed province of Raetia. It was then part of Tiberius’ army for his aborted campaign against the Marcomanni in 6 AD and so took part in crushing the Pannonian Revolt.

Altar to Glanis and Fortuna Redux, Glanum. Dedicated by a veteran of Legio XXI Rapax.

Service in Germania

After the Varian Disaster, Legio XXI Rapax was moved to Germania and stationed at Vetera (Xanten). It soon took part in Tiberius’ campaigns against the Germans from 10-14 AD. The legion, with many of the Rhine legions, then mutinied on the death of Augustus and was slow to surrender to Germanicus. It would have also been part of Germanicus’ punitive campaign against the Germans in the following year.

Legio XXI Rapax contributed a vexillation to the army sent to put down the Revolt of Sacrovir, who had rebelled in Gaul in 21 AD. During the reorganization of the frontier in 43 AD, the legion was sent to garrison Vindonissa (Windisch).

Tombstone of L. Marius, a soldier of Legio XXI Rapax, 1st c. AD, Mainz. Mainz Landesmuseum.

In the Year of the Four Emperors, Legio XXI Rapax supported Vitellius and would have sent a vexillation with him to Italy. The rest of the legion had to deal with the outbreak of the Batavian Revolt, which broke out in the same year. They played a decisive role in beating the rebels at Augusta Treverorum (Trier) and were part of the army that crushed the rebels at Vetera (Xanten).

After this conflict, Legio XXI Rapax was sent to Bonna (Bonn) to replace Legio I Germanica and later took part in Domitian’s campaign against the Chatti in 83 AD. At this point it was stationed at Moguntiacum (Mainz).

In 89 AD, L. Antonius Saturninus, the governor of Germania Superior, rebelled against Domitian and was supported by Legio XXI Rapax and Legio XIV Gemina. Once this rebellion had been put down, it is believed that the legion was either disbanded or sent to Pannonia and met its demise at the hands of the Sarmatians in 92 AD.

Tombstone of Q. Marcius Balbus, a veteran of Legio XXI Rapax, 30-50 AD, Mainz. Mainz Landesmuseum.

Interactive Map

Embark on a journey through time and space with our interactive map to discover the far-reaching influence of Legio XXI Rapax on the Roman Empire.

Confirmed Members

The following table lists members of Legio XXI Rapax who have been identified through epigraphical or historical sources.

Please note that the dates listed in the table refer to the inscriptions themselves, not necessarily the exact time period during which the individuals served in the legion.

NameRankDateFoundSource
L. Flavius Silva Nonius BassusLegatec. 81-92 ADUrbisaglia, ItalyAE 1961, 140
M. Carisius AlpinusTribunec. 30 BC – 14 ADSainte-Colombe, FranceAE 2003, 1128 
C. Coruncanius OriculaTribunec. 1-50 ADRome, Italy CIL VI, 3515
M. Herennius ProculusTribunec. 14-50 ADAtripalda, ItalyCIL X, 1118
L. Julius CrassusTribunec. 36-43 ADDougga, TunisiaCIL VIII, 1478
CIL VIII, 15519
C. Vibius PublilianusTribunec. 41-70 ADTivoli, ItalyCIL XIV, 3548
C. Sappius FlavusTribune1st c. ADVaison-la-Romaine, FranceCIL XII, 1357
SabinusTribune1st c. ADVelleia Romana, ItalyCIL XI, 1187
Sex. Subrius Dexter Cornelius PriscusTribunec. 98-117 ADValenza, ItalyCIL V, 7447
L. Calpurnius FabatusTribune112 ADComo, Italy CIL V, 5267
Sex. Pedius Lusianus HirrutusFirst Spearc. 1-19 ADSan Valentino, Italy CIL IX, 3044
C. Pompilius CerialisFirst Spearc. 31-70 ADVolterra, ItalyCIL XI, 7066
L. Vettius ReginusEagle-Bearerc. 31-50 ADXanten, GermanyCIL XIII, 8650
Q. Manilius CordusCenturionc. 14-50 ADBologna, ItalyCIL XI, 707
L. Pompeius SecundusCenturionc. 9-89 ADNorroy-les-Pont-a-Mousson, FranceCIL XIII, 4623
VindexCenturionc. 43-70 ADWindisch, SwitzerlandAE 1953, 249
T. Sempronius AugustinusCenturionc. 69-96 ADKemerhisar, TurkeyAE 1991, 1543
L. Licinius FestusCenturionc. 70-83 ADBrohl-Lutzing, GermanyCIL XIII, 7702
L. Papius FortunatusCenturionc. 70-83 ADAndernach, Germany CIL XIII, 7714
Sosius SeverusCenturionc. 83-89 ADFriedberg, GermanyCIL XIII, 7404
Sullus NotusCenturionc. 83-89 ADFriedberg GermnayCIL XIII, 7404
L. Faltonus FirmusCenturionc. 83-90 ADMainz, GermanyCIL XIII, 6950
L. Petronus NeposCenturion1st c. ADBonn, GermanyAE 1945, 9
C. Terentius VerecundusCenturion1st c. ADBaalbek, LebanonCIL III, 140
Valerus PriscusCenturion1st c. ADHaydrah, TunisiaAE 1912, 206
P. Annius MontanusOptioc. 51-130 ADNyon, SwitzerlandAE 1998, 975
Cn. CarantiusLegionaryc. 9-30 ADXanten, GermanyCIL XIII, 8649
L. MariusLegionaryc. 31-50 ADMainz, GermanyCIL XIII, 6949
Aninius ModeratusLegionaryc. 43-70 ADWindisch, SwitzerlandAE 1953, 249
L. Rutilius MarcinusLegionaryc. 43-70 ADWindisch, Switzerland CIL XIII, 11524
C. AtiliusLegionaryc. 51-83 ADBonn, GermanyCIL XIII, 8081
Ti. Claudius CupitusLegionaryc. 51-100 ADZollfeld, Austria CIL III, 4840
Maeilius VegetusLegionaryc. 69-83 ADCologne, GermanyAE 2015, 947
L. Cornelius UrbanusLegionaryc. 71-83 ADBonn, GermanyCIL XIII, 8032
M. Valerius MattoLegionaryc. 83-90 ADMainz, GermanyCIL XIII, 6950
M. AconusLegionary1st c.ADCallian, FranceCAG-83-01, p. 296
M. AntoniusLegionary1st c. ADHaydrah, TunisiaAE 1912, 206
M. CorneliusLegionary1st c. ADMura, Italy CIL V, 4892
M. Curisius SabinusLegionary1st c. ADTrento, Italy CIL V, 5033
M. Porcius NigrinusLegionary1st c. ADJerica, SpainCIL II, 3988
Ti. Claudius HymnusDoctorc. 43-70 ADWindisch, SwitzerlandCIL XIII, 5208
Q. Licinius RusticusCavalryc. 71-100 ADCologne, GermanyAE 1974, 452 
Q. Marcius BalbusVeteranc. 31-50 ADMainz, Germany CIL XIII, 6951
P. CassiusVeteran1st c. ADTurin, ItalyCIL V, 7157
CrescensVeteran1st c. ADXanten, GermanyCIL XIII, 8651
L. Leuconius Cilo Veteran1st c. ADVobarno, ItalyCIL V, 4902
M. Licinius VerecundusVeteran1st c. ADGlanum, FranceAE 1954, 103