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

by Simon Elliott

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.

• ISBN13: 9781526765727
• Publish Date: 9 February 2021
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 208
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Roman Britain's Missing Legion is an appealing military history book combining the best parts of historical mystery and meticulously researched exposition presented and set out by Dr. Simon Elliott. Due out 22nd March 2021 from Pen & Sword, it's 208 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

The book is meticulously written, with numerous quotes throughout. It is not annotated, and there are no chapter notes in the eARC which I received for review. I found that the narrative flowed quite a bit better because I wasn't constantly stopping my reading to check references. The author has cited both period and modern scholarly research to support the narrative. There are numerous notes, timelines, and an index. The bibliography notes alone will keep keen readers reading for ages. Probably the most engaging part of the book for me were the numerous photos of buildings and artifacts which give a comprehensive context for the history. I enjoyed the photos (black and white) as well as the numerous timelines and data tables which are included.

The author has a casual academic style of writing; accessible and careful, but not overly convoluted or impenetrably difficult to read. He manages to convey a wealth of information without being pedantic or preachy. I imagine he would be a capable and talented teacher. I envy his students. He writes clearly and concisely with a logical progression and a clear threads to follow which interweave the real and imagined history, backed by a plethora of sources. Where actual contemporaneous sources shade into speculation, he says so clearly and unambiguously.

This would be a great choice for libraries, military historians, ancient historians, students of Roman/Empire history, early British history, and similar.

Five stars. This book is clearly the product of a prodigious amount of research by an author who is a bona fide expert in this field.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.