What really happened to the 9th Legion?

The legion disappears from surviving Roman records after c. AD 120 and there is no extant account of what happened to it. This view was popularised by the 1954 novel The Eagle of the Ninth in which the legion is said to have marched into Caledonia (modern day Scotland), after which it was “never heard of again”.

Was the Eagle of the Ninth Legion ever found?

The discovery of the eagle The eagle was discovered on 0ctober 9 1866 by the Reverend J.G. Joyce during his excavations of Calleva Atrebatum. The eagle was found in the forum basilica, between two layers of burnt material.

Why did the Romans stop using legions?

The legions just became the armies of local warlords, they had been made up of local forces more loyal to their local leaders rather than Rome for a long time (centuries). So in a sense they stopped to exist, in another sense they continued to exist, just under theoretically different high command.

Was there a Ninth Roman Legion?

The Ninth was formed in 65BC and fought in Hispania and Gaul before taking part in Claudius’s invasion of Britain in AD43. The legion then helped maintain the Roman empire’s grip of Britain although it suffered a serious defeat during Boudicca’s rebellion in AD61. Then, around AD117, all mentions of the legion vanish.

Is The Last Legion a true story?

The film is loosely inspired by the events of 5th-century European history, notably the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. This is coupled with other facts and legends from the history of Britain and fantastic elements from the legend of King Arthur to provide a basis for the Arthurian legend.

Did Caesar decimate the 9th Legion?

Julius Caesar threatened to decimate the 9th Legion during the war against Pompey, but never did. Plutarch describes the process in his work Life of Antony. Antony was furious and employed the punishment known as “decimation” on those who had lost their nerve.

How long did the Ninth Legion serve and fight for?

Vercingetorix surrenders to Caesar, 52 BC. Following the end of Caesar’s Gallic Wars and 9 years of fighting, the Ninth Legion was formidable: its soldiers battle-hardened, its loyalty to Caesar paramount. Caesar knew this full well and would often rely upon it.

When did the Romans stop using legions?

Because legions were not permanent units until the Marian reforms (c. 107 BC), and were instead created, used, and disbanded again, several hundred legions were named and numbered throughout Roman history. To date, about 50 have been identified.

Was there a 9th Roman legion?

Who commanded the Ninth Legion?

Quintus Petillius Cerialis
The Ninth Legion, commanded by Quintus Petillius Cerialis, attempted to relieve the siege. It is unlikely that the entire legionary strength of some 5,000 men was involved in the battle.

What happened to the 9th Legion in Rome?

The Ninth rises Within ten years, the Ninth Legion was re-established, either by Ventidius or Octavian. It went on to serve with Octavian down to his final victory against Marc Anthony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. With this success, Octavian now ruled the whole of the Roman Empire.

Did the Roman Legion really exist?

In fact, the last certain piece of evidence relating to the existence of the Legion from anywhere in the Roman Empire comes from York where an inscription, dating to AD 108, credits the Ninth with rebuilding the fortress in stone.

When did Legio IX Hispania disappear from the Roman Empire?

There is no mention of Legio IX Hispania in two lists of Roman legions dated from AD 197. We can, therefore, deduce that the group vanished between AD 108 and AD 197.

What happened to Boudicca’s Ninth Legion?

It was not to be. As Petilius Cerialis, the Roman commander of the Ninth, marched south, Boudicca and her large army overwhelmed and destroyed much of the Legion. According to Tacitus every single infantryman was killed, with only Cerialis and his cavalry managing to escape. 61 AD was not a good year for the Ninth Legion.