Solving the Mystery of the Lost Roman Legion | History Hit Series

The video begins by introducing the mysterious disappearance of the Roman Ninth Legion in the early second century AD. The narrator expresses a personal interest in Roman history, sparked by the novel 'The Eagle of the Ninth'. The story of the legion's potential fate is intertwined with archaeological findings, including the Silchester Eagle, which inspired the novel. The Ninth Legion's history is explored, from its origins in the social wars of the later Roman Republic to its role in Caesar's campaigns and subsequent service under Augustus. The video sets the stage for a deeper investigation into the legion's fate.

This paragraph delves into the service history of the Ninth Legion, detailing its transformation from an elite fighting force to a legion with a tarnished reputation. The original Ninth Legion participated in key battles such as the Battle of Fales and was disbanded before Caesar's assassination, only to be reformed later. It continued to serve in major campaigns, including the Claudian invasion of Britain. The Ninth Legion played a pivotal role in the Roman conquest of Britain, extending from the establishment of the province under Emperor Claudius to the challenges posed by the British leader Caticus in the west.

The Budan Revolt led by Queen Budika is highlighted as a significant event in the history of the Ninth Legion. The revolt resulted in a major defeat for the Romans, with the Ninth Legion suffering catastrophic losses. The aftermath of the revolt required the reinforcement of the legion with 2,000 additional legionaries. The video describes the revolt and its impact on the Ninth Legion, marking a dark period in its history.

Despite the setbacks, the Ninth Legion returned to active duty and was involved in the governance of Britain under the leadership of Seri Alis. The video discusses the role of the Ninth Legion in the conquest of the far north of Britain, including the establishment of a fortress in York. The narrator shares insights from tombstones of individual soldiers, such as Lucius Duus Rafus, providing a personal perspective on the Ninth Legion's history.

The narrative continues with the Ninth Legion's involvement in Agricola's campaigns to conquer the far north of Britain. The video describes the construction of military infrastructure, such as forts, and the extensive military activity in the region. The Ninth Legion is suggested to have played a key role in these campaigns, although the exact nature of its involvement is not definitively established.

The video recounts the last known literary reference to the Ninth Legion, a night attack by the Caledonians in Scotland during Agricola's campaigns. This event is suggested as the possible end of the Ninth Legion, as it is never mentioned again in historical records. The video explores the archaeological evidence, or lack thereof, for this event and the subsequent disappearance of the legion.

An inscription from York, dating to the early 2nd century AD, is presented as the last definitive evidence of the Ninth Legion's existence. The video discusses the implications of the inscription and the subsequent disappearance of the legion after 108 AD. Theories are presented that the Ninth Legion may have been disbanded, lost in battle, or transferred to another frontier, but no conclusive evidence supports any of these theories.

The video concludes with a discussion of various theories regarding the fate of the Ninth Legion, ranging from its loss in the north of Britain to its potential transfer and demise on another frontier. The narrator expresses excitement for future archaeological discoveries that may shed light on the mystery. The video leaves the audience with a sense of intrigue and the understanding that the ultimate fate of the Ninth Legion remains an open question.