Roman Britain's Missing Legion: What Really Happened to IX Hispana?

Legio IX Hispana had a long and active history, but the last evidence for its existence in Britain comes from AD 108. The mystery of their disappearance has inspired debate and imagination for decades. The most popular theory is that they were sent to fight the Caledonians in Scotland and wiped out, but more recent archaeology suggests a crisis in the heart of the province. Simon Elliott considers the evidence for these four theories and other possibilities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Legio IX Hispana, a renowned and storied Roman legion, had a rich and eventful history that extended far into the past. However, its presence in Britain came to an enigmatic end with the last recorded evidence dating back to AD 108. The disappearance of this legion has sparked numerous debates and imaginative theories over the years. One of the most widely accepted theories suggests that the legion was dispatched to combat the Caledonians in Scotland and was ultimately annihilated in that region. This notion is immortalized in Rosemary Sutcliffes novel "The Eagle of the Ninth," where the legion is believed to have met its demise.

However, more recent archaeological discoveries, including evidence of the burning of London and the discovery of dozens of decapitated heads, have challenged this narrative. These findings suggest that a crisis, rather than a border conflict, was at the heart of the province at the time. This new perspective suggests that IX Hispana may have played a role in a rebellion, leading to their punishment, disbandment, and the infamous damnatio memoriae (official erasure from the records).

In light of these intriguing possibilities, Simon Elliott delves into the evidence supporting these four theories and explores other plausible scenarios. His comprehensive analysis sheds light on the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Legio IX Hispana and provides a fresh perspective on the legion's fate.

Weight: 344g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399006965