Legio XV Apollinaris

Legio XV Apollinaris
Map of the Roman empire in AD 125, under emperor Hadrian, showing the Legio XV Apollinaris, stationed at Satala (Saddagh, Turkey), in Cappadocia province, from AD 117 until the 5th century
Active41/40 BC to sometime in the 5th century
CountryRoman Republic and Roman Empire
TypeRoman legion (Marian)
RoleInfantry assault (some cavalry support)
SizeVaried over unit lifetime. Approx. 3,500 fighting men + support at the time of creation.
Garrison/HQIllyricum (48 BC–6 BC)
Carnuntum (9–61)
Syria (61–c. 73)
Carnutum (c. 73–117)
Satala (117–5th century)
Nickname(s)Apollinaris, "devoted to Apollo" under Augustus
Pia Fidelis, "faithful and loyal" under Marcus Aurelius
PatronApollo
EngagementsTiberius Marcomanni campaign (6)
First Jewish Revolt (66–73)
Dacian Wars (105–106)
Trajan Mesopotamian campaign (115–117)
Lucius Verus Armenian campaign (162)
Septimus Severus Parthian campaign (197)
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Titus (officer)
Trajan (campaign)
Lucius Verus (campaign)
Septimius Severus (campaign)
The Savaria Legio XV Apollinaris, reenactors moving off a reconstructed Castra in Pram, Austria.

Legio XV Apollinaris ("Apollo's Fifteenth Legion") was a legion of the Imperial Roman army. It was recruited by Octavian in 41/40 BC. The emblem of this legion was probably a picture of Apollo, or of one of his holy animals.

XV Apollinaris is sometimes confused with two other legions with the same number: An earlier unit which was commanded by Julius Caesar and met its end in North Africa in 49 BC, and a later unit that was present at the Battle of Philippi on the side of the Second Triumvirate and then sent east.