Myths, Mysteries, and Military Secrets: The Enigma of the Rome’s Lost Ninth Legion | 387

Sep 18 2024 • 1 hr 13 mins

Strength and honor. Discipline and courage. The Glory of Rome! And none of it mattered for one of said Rome’s most renowned legions. Or so it seems… Reputation became tales, and tales became myths about Legio IX Hispana, Rome’s famed Ninth Legion passed into the category of legend when it mysteriously vanished from the record books around the turn of the 2nd century CE. That was before the black and white color switch for those playing along at home. But how could one of the most fearsome and battle-tested units of the then most powerful empire on earth just up and disappear like a dad going for cigarettes? Theories have run the gamut from mundane to supernatural, with more significant consequences from its disappearance than you might imagine. Grab your gladius and scutum, we’re marching in search of Rome’s Lost 9th Legion this week on Hysteria 51!

Special thanks to this week’s research sources:

Books

The Fate of the Ninth: The curious disappearance of one of Rome's legions | Duncan B. Campbell

Videos

Solving the Mystery of the Lost Roman Legion | History Hit Series -https://youtu.be/uzqXhGM-uRY?si=wTL8aeWkPs7zrKXQ

Websites

Legio IX Hispana Wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legio_IX_Hispana

BBC - https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-12752497

Ancient Origins - https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/boudicca-celtic-queen-unleashed-fury-romans-part-2-002067

The Northen Echo - https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11560152.modest-man-centre-yorks-famous-ghost-story-passes-away/

Eagle & Dragons Publishing - https://eaglesanddragonspublishing.com/roman-ghosts-shades-in-eburacum/

History Extra - https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/what-happened-to-britains-lost-roman-legion/