Synopsis
Were the legendary Ninth Legion heroic defenders of the Empire or disgraced mutineers? World renown archaeologist Simon Elliott assesses the theories surrounding the disappearance of legio IX Hispana, drawing on the latest research and archaeological finds.
Legio IX Hispana had a long and active history, later founding York from where it guarded the northern frontiers in Britain. 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, immortalized in Rosemary Sutcliffe’s novel The Eagle of the Ninth, is that the legion was sent to fight the Caledonians in Scotland and wiped out there.
But more recent archaeology (including evidence that London was burnt to the ground and dozens of decapitated heads) suggests a crisis, not on the border but in the heart of the province, previously thought to have been peaceful at this time. What if IX Hispana took part in a rebellion, leading to their punishment, disbandment and damnatio memoriae (official erasure from the records)? This proposed ‘Hadrianic War’ would then be the real context for Hadrian’s ‘visit’ in 122 with a whole legion, VI Victrix, which replaced the ‘vanished’ IX as the garrison at York. Other theories are that it was lost on the Rhine or Danube, or in the East. Simon Elliott considers the evidence for these four theories, and other possibilities.
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About the Author
Simon Elliott is an historian, archaeologist and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent where he studied for his PhD in Archaeology on the subject of the Roman military in Britain. He also has an MA in War Studies from KCL and an MA in Archaeology from UCL. For a day job he runs his own PR company, and is a former defense and aerospace journalist at titles including Jane's Defence Weekly and Flight International. He frequently gives talks on Roman themes and is co-Director at a Roman villa excavation.
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Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. Legio IX Hispana had a long and active history, later founding York from where it guarded the northern frontiers in Britain. 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, immortalised in Rosemary Sutcliffe's novel The Eagle of the Ninth, is that the legion was sent to fight the Caledonians in Scotland and wiped out there. But more recent archaeology (including evidence that London was burnt to the ground and dozens of decapitated heads) suggests a crisis, not on the border but in the heart of the province, previously thought to have been peaceful at this time. What if IX Hispana took part in a rebellion, leading to their punishment, disbandment and 'damnatio memoriae' (official erasure from the records)? This proposed 'Hadrianic War' would then be the real context for Hadrian's 'visit' in 122 with a whole legion, VI Victrix, which replaced the 'vanished' IX as the garrison at York. Other theories are that it was lost on the Rhine or Danube, or in the East. Simon Elliott considers the evidence for these four theories, and other possibilities. AUTHOR: Dr Simon Elliott is an archaeologist, historian and broadcaster, and a former editor at both Jane's Defence Weekly and Flight International. He has a PhD in Classics and Archaeology from the University of Kent, where he is now an Honorary Research Fellow, and has an MA in Archaeology from UCL and an MA in War Studies from KCL. His research has been published in History Today, RUSI Journal, Military History Monthly and British Archaeology and many other periodicals, and he is the author of six mainstream history books currently on sale or pre-sale, one a Military History Matters Book of the Year and one an Amazon number 1 best seller. Simon lectures widely to local history societies and archaeological groups. He is co-Director of the Roman villa excavation at Teston and is Trustee of the Council for british Archaeology and Trustee of museum of London Archaeology. He makes frequent appearances on TV as a Roman expert. 28 colour illustrations Casts new light on an old mystery that has fascinated for decades: the apparent disappearance of legio IX Hispana in 108 (the last inscription bearing their name) or shortly after. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781526765727
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Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. Legio IX Hispana had a long and active history, later founding York from where it guarded the northern frontiers in Britain. 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, immortalised in Rosemary Sutcliffe's novel The Eagle of the Ninth, is that the legion was sent to fight the Caledonians in Scotland and wiped out there. But more recent archaeology (including evidence that London was burnt to the ground and dozens of decapitated heads) suggests a crisis, not on the border but in the heart of the province, previously thought to have been peaceful at this time. What if IX Hispana took part in a rebellion, leading to their punishment, disbandment and 'damnatio memoriae' (official erasure from the records)? This proposed 'Hadrianic War' would then be the real context for Hadrian's 'visit' in 122 with a whole legion, VI Victrix, which replaced the 'vanished' IX as the garrison at York. Other theories are that it was lost on the Rhine or Danube, or in the East. Simon Elliott considers the evidence for these four theories, and other possibilities. AUTHOR: Dr Simon Elliott is an archaeologist, historian and broadcaster, and a former editor at both Jane's Defence Weekly and Flight International. He has a PhD in Classics and Archaeology from the University of Kent, where he is now an Honorary Research Fellow, and has an MA in Archaeology from UCL and an MA in War Studies from KCL. His research has been published in History Today, RUSI Journal, Military History Monthly and British Archaeology and many other periodicals, and he is the author of six mainstream history books currently on sale or pre-sale, one a Military History Matters Book of the Year and one an Amazon number 1 best seller. Simon lectures widely to local history societies and archaeological groups. He is co-Director of the Roman villa excavation at Teston and is Trustee of the Council for british Archaeology and Trustee of museum of London Archaeology. He makes frequent appearances on TV as a Roman expert. 28 colour illustrations Casts new light on an old mystery that has fascinated for decades: the apparent disappearance of legio IX Hispana in 108 (the last inscription bearing their name) or shortly after. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781526765727
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