The mystery of Rome's lost Ninth Legion: what really happened to them?

The Ninth Legion, also known as Legio IX Hispana in Latin, was a unit of the Roman army that was established sometime in the first century BC. It may have fought in the Social War in 90 BC but was certainly well-established by the time Julius Caesar took command of them at the start of his Gallic Wars.

The Ninth Legion became famous since they fought with distinction for both Julius Caesar and the emperor Augustus and was known for its discipline, bravery, and loyalty to the Roman Empire.

The Ninth Legion was deployed to Britain was part of a larger effort to quell the resistance of the Celtic tribes in the region.

They were stationed at Eboracum, modern-day York, and played a crucial role in the construction of Hadrian's Wall, which was designed to protect Roman Britain from barbarian invasions from the north.

According to inscriptions discovered in York, it is known that the Ninth Legion returned to and remained stationed at the Roman Fort, known as Eboracum until at least AD 108.

However, all traces of the Ninth Legion in Britain vanish after this point. By AD 122, the Sixth Victrix had replaced the Ninth Legion at Eboracum.

Additionally, when two lists of existing legions was compiled in Rome in AD 197, the Ninth Hispania was not included.

The absence of any record of the Ninth Legion after the late second century AD, combined with the lack of archaeological evidence of their continued presence, has led many historians to conclude that the legion disappeared.

The exact circumstances of their disappearance, however, remain a subject of debate and speculation.

One of the most popular theories suggests that the Ninth Legion was destroyed in a battle against the Picts, who were a confederation of tribes that inhabited what is now Scotland.

According to this theory, the Ninth Legion was ambushed by the Britons and suffered a devastating defeat, with most of the soldiers killed or captured.

However, this theory has been challenged by historians and archaeologists who argue that there is no clear evidence of a major battle between the Ninth Legion and the Britons.

Some experts point out that the Ninth Legion was a highly experienced and well-trained unit, and it is unlikely that they would have been easily defeated by local tribes

Moreover, there is no clear archaeological evidence of a mass grave or battlefield associated with the Ninth Legion in northern England.

The second option proposes that the Ninth Legion was redeployed from Britain to help suppress the Second Jewish Revolt in AD 132.

This time frame would fit with the current evidence, and they could have been destroyed during this conflict. However, there is no evidence that the legion was present in the Middle East at this time.  

A third theory is that they were destroyed during the Parthian War in the AD 160s.

Interestingly, Roman historian Cassius Dio says that an unnamed legion was destroyed during this conflict. It might have been the Ninth, but again, there is no record of them being in this part of the empire.  

A final theory suggests that the Ninth Legion was simply redeployed to another part of the Roman Empire.

However, this theory has also been challenged by some experts who argue that it is unlikely that a highly decorated and respected unit like the Ninth Legion would be simply disbanded or reassigned without any clear record of their fate.

Despite the many theories and speculations, the mystery of the Ninth Legion's disappearance remains unsolved.

The fate of these brave soldiers and their legacy continue to fascinate historians and archaeologists, and new discoveries may shed light on what really happened to them.

The mystery of the Ninth Legion is a testament to the enduring power and allure of the Roman Empire, and a reminder of the sacrifices and heroism of its soldiers.