Legion (disambiguation) facts for kids

A legion is a large group of people, often soldiers, working together. The word "legion" comes from the Latin word legio, meaning "levy" or "conscription" (a group of people called to serve). Throughout history, many different military units and organizations have used the name "legion" to show their strength and unity. The most famous legions were part of the ancient Roman army.

What is a Legion?

A legion is typically a very large military unit. In ancient Rome, a legion was a major part of the Roman army. It was made up of thousands of soldiers. These soldiers were highly trained and organized. They played a key role in the Roman Empire's success and its ability to control vast territories.

The Mighty Roman Legions

The Roman Legions were the backbone of the Roman army for many centuries. Each legion had about 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers, including infantry (foot soldiers) and cavalry (soldiers on horseback). A Roman soldier was called a Legionary. These legions were known for their discipline, training, and effective battle tactics. They helped Rome conquer and maintain its empire.

Legions in Other Countries

Over time, other countries and groups have also used the term "legion" for their military units or organizations.

United States

• The Legion of the United States was a reorganization of the United States Army in the late 1700s. It was created to improve the army's structure and training after the American Revolutionary War.

Foreign Legions

A Foreign legion is a special type of military unit made up of soldiers who are not citizens of the country they are fighting for. They often come from different nations.

• The French Foreign Legion is one of the most famous foreign legions. It was created in 1831 and allows foreign volunteers to serve in the French Army.
• The Spanish Foreign Legion was formed in 1920. It is a unit of the Spanish Army that also accepts foreign recruits.

Other Military Legions

• The Arab Legion was the regular army of Transjordan (now Jordan) from the 1920s to the 1950s. It was known for being a well-trained and effective fighting force.
• The British Legion is not a military unit but a charity organization. It was founded in 1921 to support British Armed Forces veterans and their families.

Legions in World War II

During World War II, several units were called "legions." These often included volunteers from different countries.

• The Armenian Legion was a unit formed by Armenian volunteers who fought alongside German forces.
• The Condor Legion was a unit of military personnel from Nazi Germany. They provided air support and training to nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
• The Ostlegionen (meaning "Eastern Legions") were military units in the German Army during World War II. They were made up of volunteers from the Soviet Union's ethnic minorities.
• The French Legion was a unit of French volunteers who fought alongside German forces during World War II. It was officially known as the 33rd Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS Charlemagne (1st French).

See also

In Spanish: Legión para niños