How does an entire legion of the Roman army disappear? Unlike the Teutoburg Forest disaster, where records give credence to a complete massacre of the Roman legions, no such evidence exists for one of Rome's most battle-hardened legions. The Ninth Legion was a jewel in the crown of the Roman Empire. They were one of the oldest and most famous legions to ever march through Rome. They participated in countless military campaigns, winning numerous battles and continually bringing Rome's enemies to their knees. Quite possibly one of the most decorated legions in the imperial army, it was at the height of its glory in historical records. Then, without any explanation, the Ninth Legion disappeared from the history of Rome. For years, scholars have theorized a variety of explanations for the disappearance of the Ninth Legion, and even filmmakers have capitalized on this age-old mystery. Was the end of the Ninth Legion a glorious affair of blood and sweat, fighting to the last man, or was it a slow, mediocre fade? Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Commissioned in Spain around 65 BC, the Ninth Legion was one of Rome's oldest and eventually became one of the most decorated legions in the world. empire. The Ninth Legion participated in countless campaigns. The Ninth Legion fought under Julius Caesar during his invasion and conquest of Gaul in 58 BC The Ninth Legion also fought in Spain at the Battle of Ilerda during Caesar's civil war against Pompey and during his African campaign of AD 46 (Ritterling). campaign, some veterans of the legion settled in Picenum and Histria. However, Emperor Augustus resurrected the Ninth Legion in 41 AD when he needed troops to take control of Sicily. The island was then under the control of Sextus Pompey, whose occupation of the island severely damaged Rome's grain supplies. The IX Legion ensured that the island would soon return to the rule of Emperor Augustus. The Ninth Legion again saw further campaigns in Spain from 25 to 13 AD, fighting against the Cantabrians under Emperor Augustus. Other units, including I Germanica, II Augusta, IIII Macedonica, V Alaudae, VI Victrix, X Gemina and XX Valeria Victrix, participated in these massive campaigns. (Ritterling)Here, during the campaign of 24 BC, the Ninth Legion distinguished itself in combat, perhaps earning the honorific title of IX Hispana. History becomes rather uneventful for the Legion until nearly forty years later. In 14 AD, after the Roman massacre of the Teutoburg Forest in Germany, the Ninth Legion was stationed in Pannonia along the Danube River. (Ritterling) A garrison force would remain there until AD 43. In AD 43, when Emperor Claudius mounted his war elephant and crossed the English Channel, he invaded with the IX Hispana. Additional units included II Augusta, XIV Gemina and XX Valeria Victrix. The IX Hispana was initially stationed at Longthorpe and Newton-on-Trent under the command of Aulus Plautius. After the year 55 AD, the Ninth Legion was transferred to the Lincoln garrison. (Ritterling)War broke out again in Britain with Queen Boudica's rebellion in 60 AD. After her husband's death, her lands were usurped by Roman authorities, her daughters were brutally raped, and Queen Boudica herself was publicly flogged. Queen Boudica swore revenge against the Roman Empire. It would give rise to one of the most serious and effective rebellions in Roman history. Boudica successfully led her tribal army south, leaving a trail of death and destruction in her wake. His wrath saw Colchester, Verulamium andLondinium, now London, razed. The Ninth Legion was the first to be sent to help subdue the rebellion. But it did not have the result that IX Hispana expected. Under the command of Quintus Petillius Cerialis, the Ninth was soundly defeated and suffered heavy losses fighting Boudica's forces, losing approximately a third of its overall fighting strength. (Mattingly, p.110) Replacements from the IX Hispana arrived from the provinces of Germany and little is known of the activities of the Ninth Legion until the year 77 AD. Records from the year 77 AD show that the Ninth Legion was transferred to York in this period to replace II Adiutrix as a guard unit in the northern frontier. (Ritterling) In 78 AD, the Ninth Legion was employed against the Brigantes in northern Britain where the Ninth Legion joined the XX Valeria Victrix, commanded by Gnaeus Julius Agricola. Together they defeated the Brigands near Stanwick. (Ritterling) In 83 AD, part of the Ninth Legion was sent to fight Germanic tribes in Upper Germany near Mainz. The last known activity of the IX Hispana in Britain is estimated to have occurred around 108 AD or 109 AD, when records show the legion built the stone fortress at York. (Ritterling) After these documents, however, the Ninth Legion disappears from the map, with no further evidence being found regarding the legion's fate. With all its campaigns and military experience, the IX Hispana was a first-rate Roman legion and perhaps one of the most decorated units in the Roman army. But how is it possible that the track record of one of Rome's best legions has completely stopped? , leaving no substantial evidence of the disappearance or further activities of the Ninth Legion? This question has perplexed scholars for years. This mystery also managed to generate numerous suspicions about the mysterious disappearance of the Ninth Legion. Perhaps the most popular theory regarding the fate of the Ninth Legion is that of the legion's complete destruction. While the Ninth Legion was garrisoned on the island, Britain was one of Rome's most troublesome territories. It became the source of numerous revolts and rebellions. The most notable of these rebellions was that of Queen Boudica in 60 AD, which caused heavy casualties and damage to the Roman forces in Britain. Roman legions were constantly sent to bring down these enemies of the Roman peace. As depicted in films such as Centurion and The Eagle, popular legend has it that the Ninth Legion was sent north to fight hostile British forces. (Napier) Both films depict a legend in which the Ninth, while marching through the dark, foggy forests of northern Britain, is suddenly ambushed by vengeful Britons. Caught completely off guard by the barbarian horde, unable to deploy its troops and without reinforcements, the legion fights to the last man and is annihilated. (Napier) Although this represents a glorious last stand worthy of a legion with a reputation as famous as that of the Ninth, more and more scholars believe that the IX Hispana suffered a far less glorious fate than that of legend. Although it had built a reputation for pride and success, the Ninth Legion could not be entirely immune to falling victim to failure. Having been completely decimated by Queen Boudica's forces, it is not impossible to believe that the Ninth Legion could have suffered another similar defeat. The IX Hispana could have suffered another ignominious defeat at the hands of the barbarian tribes. If the Ninth Legion's performance had brought humiliation to the empire, the authorities might have turned it into, as Tom Stanier calls it, a “non-person.” (Stanier) The Ninth Legion would be".