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Ancient History
LEGIO IX HISPANA"The Way We Were" From the 1st Century AD. Legio IX Hispana was deployed from Pannonia on the Danube, in the area around Siscia (Sisak) to Gaul in 42 in order to prepare for the invasion of Britannia in 43, under the command of Aulus Platius during the reign of Claudius. There is no mention of Legio IX Hispana's actions during the initial phase of the invasion of Britannia. Some scholars suggest that Hispana landed near Colchester, some miles to the north of the main invasion force at Richborough Legio IX Hispana was the primary eastern arm of the invasion force, driving north up the line of what is now Ermine Street towards Lindum (Lincoln). There are several marching camps and forts along the route that have provided some evidence for the Hispana. The Hispana was stationed at a fort near Newton-On-Trent from 44 - 50. Then to Lindum (Lincoln) from 50 - 70. And then to Eburacum (York) from 71 - 120. In 60 Legio IX Hispana had the first honor of meeting Boudicca during her little excursion through the countryside of Britannia. Contrary to popular opinion the Hispana was not annihilated. Instead, a large force was sent south from Lindum to meet Boudicca's army. Legatus Petilius Cerialis managed to survive the first onslaught and escaped with his cavalry. We like to believe that the Hispana managed to hold Boudicca up for at least a day giving the rest of the units of the dispersed Legions an extra day or so to prepare and act. In all Legio IX Hispana lost at most 2000 milites gregarii which were later replaced with troops from the Rhine frontier. In 71 the Hispana was moved from Lindum (Lincoln) to Eburacum (York). The fortress of stone at Eburacum was built in 108 by Legio IX Hispana. Sometime during the reign of Hadrianus the Hispana participated in the construction of Hadrian's Wall, probably building a portion of the original turf rampart, but definitely stationed north of the Wall to protect the other Legions as they slugged and toted block, mortar, timber and dirt. There is some evidence placing the Hispana in the Nijemegen region around 122. Some scholars place Legio IX Hispana in the Lower Rhine region during the Second Dacian War. There is also some evidence placing the Hispana in Judea during the Second Jewish War, 132 - 135. The last known post of Legio IX Hispana was in Cappadocia (Armenia) and that information is sketchy. The evidence for Legio IX Hispana is minimal at least for the "AD" period. She is mentioned in Tacitus. There is some physical archaeolgy, roof tiles in Nijemegen of example. There are a few funerary monuments. There is also evidence that she built practice fortification features near Cawthorne, England such as entrenchments, ballista platforms, turf walls and field ovens. There is no evidence that any Roman Legion, let alone Legio IX Hispana, ever "disappeared" in what we now know as Scotland. In fact the archaeology suggests several periods of a serious Roman presence. The 3disappearance2 legend is probably related to a quick deployment to the Rhine in 122 and incomplete Victorian era research. Why We Chose to Portray Legio IX Hispana The choice for us was an easy one. 1) Legio IX Hispana has its origins in Hispania (Spain) under Gaius Julius Caesar. San Diego, California, USA, where our version of Legio IX Hispana was founded, was originally a Spanish Castra then a Colonia, 1669 AD. The connection helped make our choice. 2) At the time we formed our club we knew of no other attempt anywhere in the world to re-enact Legio IX Hispana. 3) The archaeological evidence regarding Legio IX Hispana is minimal, which means as reenactors we have a bit more leeway in our choice of uniforms, insignia, armor, and auxillia. |
