Legio VIIII Hispana

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Legio VIIII Hispana (also Legio IX Hispana , Legio VIIII Hispaniensis ) was a legion of the Roman army that was established in the middle of the 1st century BC. Existed until the middle of the 2nd century AD. It is one of the oldest legions that survived in the Empire. The Legio VIIII Hispana emblem is unknown; however, due to the analogy to other legions of its alleged founder Gaius Iulius Caesar , it could have been a bull .

There is no evidence for a continuity from Caesar's Legio VIIII to Octavian's Legio VIIII , so that a complete reorganization, with only coincidental number equality, should be considered.

Legion name

The Legion was often referred to as Legio VIIII or Legio IX without a name, but only with the number . The surnames Triumphalis and Macedonica were only used in isolated cases and were probably never official. The epithets Hispaniensis and Hispana were already used in Augustan times.

Legion history

Map of Gaul at the time of Caesar (58 BC)
Gravestone of Gaius Valerius, Legio IX standard bearer, found in Lincoln ( RIB 257 )

Caesar's Legio IX

Gallic War

For the first time, the Ninth Legion was founded in 57 BC. Mentioned in the Gallic War under Gaius Iulius Caesar . In the battle on the Sabis ( Selle ) river, the Legio IX fought with the Legio X on the left wing against the Atrebates , the Legio VIII and Legio XI in the center against the Viromandu and the Legio VII and Legio XII on the right wing against the Nervier , while Legio XIII and Legio XIIII brought up the rear and covered the entourage. After initial Roman successes - the Legio VIIII was able to put the Atrebates to flight - the Belgians managed to storm the Roman camp and encircle the right wing. Keepers and auxiliary troops fled, and the approaching Treveri allies gave up the battle and returned home without intervening in the battle. Only the rushing rear guard and the swinging left wing could decide the battle for Caesar.

In 51 BC The Legion was named again when it was joined by the VII., VIII. And XI. Legion opposed an uprising of the Bellovacians , Ambians , Aulercer , Caletes , Veliocasser and Atrebates under the leadership of Correus. Caesar set up a heavily fortified camp within sight of the enemy camp and summoned the allied Remer and Lingons and three other legions as reinforcements. After a decisive battle, the uprising was over.

Civil war

Then the Legion took part in the civil war against Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus , where it was initially stationed in Spain . In the summer of 49 BC BC she defeated the supporters of Pompey at Ilerda ( Lleida ) with the Legio VI Ferrata and Legio XIIII Gemina . Then she was transferred to Greece and fought in 48 BC. In the battle of Dyrrhachium , in which she suffered heavy losses. In the Battle of Pharsalus (48 BC) the Legion fought with the Legio VIII, also weakened by high losses, under the joint leadership of Mark Antony . After that, the soldiers of the Legion were supposed to be retired in Italy, but it is certain that the Legion will have one last time in 46 BC. Took part in Caesar's campaign in Africa at the battle of Thapsus . When the Legion was dissolved, numerous veterans settled in Picenum and Histria . In 43 BC Publius Ventidius Bassus recruited the veterans again, but the Legion was soon disbanded.

Octavian's Legio IX

Triumvirate and Civil War

Presumably around 43 BC. BC Octavian, who later became Augustus , raised the legion again. It is possible that she fought as early as the autumn of 42 BC. BC as Legio VIIII triumphalis successful in the battle of Philippi against the Caesar murderers, for which they received the nickname Macedonica . According to another opinion it was around 41 BC. Dug up to take action against the occupation of Sicily by Sextus Pompeius . Then she did service on the Balkan Peninsula , where she took the new name Legio VIIII Macedonica . During the war against Mark Antony, she took part in the decisive battle at Actium (31 BC).

Julian-Claudian dynasty

25 BC The Legio VIIII Macedonica went into an eight-year war against the rebellious Iberians in the province of Hispania Tarraconensis . Apparently the Legion distinguished itself in these campaigns against the Cantabrians ( Cantabrian War ) through special achievements, because it left Spain as Legio VIIII Hispaniensis . In 19 BC The legion was moved to Illyricum, probably in the strategically important city of Aquileia , where it is inscribed as Legio VIIII Hispana . From the year 11 BC The legions of Exercitus Illyricus (Illyrian army) were moved further inland. With the division of the province in 8 AD during the Pannonian uprising , the legion came to Illyricum inferius , later Pannonia , where it was stationed in the winter camp Siscia ( Sisak ) until 43 .

After Augustus' death, unrest broke out in the summer camp of the three Pannonian legions (Legio VIIII Hispana, Legio XV Apollinaris and Legio VIII Augusta ) in the summer of 14 AD . Drusus the Younger was able to calm the situation quickly and without major complications, whereupon the legions moved to their separate winter camps.

In the Roman province of Africa in 17 a war had broken out against the rebellious Numidian and Mauritanian tribes under Tacfarinas . In the year 20 the Legio VIIII Hispana was sent to Africa under its legate Publius Cornelius Lentulus Scipio to reinforce the Legio III Augusta . The rebellion could only be ended in the year 24 by the proconsul (governor) Quintus Junius Blaesus . Soon after, the VIIII Hispana was relocated to Pannonia, presumably to its old camp Siscia .

Roman Britain

In 42 Aulus Plautius , governor of the province of Pannonia , was entrusted with the invasion of Britain by Emperor Claudius . In 43 he landed with a force of four legions ( Legio II Augusta , VIIII Hispana, Legio XIV Gemina and Legio XX Valeria Victrix ) and conquered Britannia for the Roman Empire. He became the first governor of the newly founded province .

The Legion operated from London and subjugated the tribes settling north. The Legion was probably initially stationed in Ratae Corieltavorum (Leicester) (43–55) and / or Lindum Colonia (Lincoln) (43 / 55–71). Vexillations often operated from other camps such as Longthorpe (near Peterborough ), Newton-on-Trent (near Lincoln) or Holme (near Newark-on-Trent ). Several forts on Ermine Street , such as B. Great Casterton (in Rutland ) and settlements such as Durobrivae , were established by Legio VIIII. Numerous vexillation forts indicate that operations were rarely undertaken with full legionary strength during this period. In 57 Caesius Nasica, the legate of the VIIII Hispana , intervened in a civil war of the Celtic brigands on behalf of the client queen Cartimandua .

During the Boudiccas revolt , the Legion, under their legate Quintus Petillius Cerialis, opposed the Celtic tribal union at Camulodunum (Colchester) in 60/61 AD, but could not stop the superiority of the Britons. The foot troops were wiped out and Cerialis had to retreat to his fortified camp with the cavalry. Probably not the whole legion, which was spread over several camps, was involved in this fight, but “only” a vexillation. The gaps were filled by soldiers recruited in Germania and the uprising then put down. Cerialis was still able to climb the career ladder because of his connections to the future Emperor Vespasian and eventually became consul and governor in Britain.

Four imperial year and Flavian dynasty

In the four-emperor year 69 a vexillation joined Vitellius , who was proclaimed emperor in Germania inferior , marched to Italy and took part in the battle of Bedriacum on October 24, 69 . In 71, Petillius Cerialis, the former legion of the Legion, was appointed governor of Britain. He began an offensive in northwestern Britain. The VIIII Hispana was replaced in Lincoln by the Legio II Adiutrix and relocated to the newly built camp Eboracum (York). From Vespasian (69-79) veterans of the Legion were settled in Reate ( Rieti ). The legate Gaius Caristanius Fronto led the legion in the campaigns of the governor Gnaeus Iulius Agricola (78-84). 78 defeated the Hispana together with the Legio XX Valeria Victrix the brigands near Stanwick in the north of Britain. In the year 83 a vexillation with probably 1000 legionaries under the leadership of the military tribune Lucius Roscius Aelianus was withdrawn from Britain to put down the uprising of the Chatti at Mogontiacum (Mainz). The other British legions also sent vexillations to Germania superior . After the end of the campaign, eight vexillations from the legions of Britain and Upper Germany under Caius Velius Rufus, the Primus Pilus of Legio XII Fulminata , were busy with extensive construction work in the area of ​​the Lingons (northern France). The Britons still took advantage of this weakening of the occupying power in 83 AD and attacked the VIIII Hispana in their camp; the Legion suffered heavy losses. The rushed governor Gnaeus Iulius Agricola was able to save the trapped "at the last minute".

There is no evidence of the sending of a vexillation for the Dacer Wars (86–96) Domitians . Towards the end of the Flavian dynasty, the Legion was temporarily stationed in Luguvalium (Carlisle).

Adoptive Emperor and Antonine Dynasty

Brick stamp of Legio IX Hispania from Carlisle / Stanwix

Perhaps some units took part under Trajan in the conquest of Dacia in the Dacian Wars (102-106) and the Parthian War (114-116). Around 105, or between 113 and 117, a vexillation was stationed in Ulpia Noviomagus Batavorum (Nijmegen). The last secured action of Hispana in Britain is the building of a fortress near Eboracum in 108.

The opinion widespread in older research that the Legion perished in battles in Britain between 115 and 120 (see also reception ) is hardly supported today. There is no reliable information about the future fortunes of the Legion. Presumably, however, the Legion was moved from Eboracum (York) to Luguvalium (Carlisle) in 122 , where it remained until around 125. The Legion was moved to the mainland no later than 130.

Perhaps she exchanged locations with the Legio VI Victrix , since it was moved from Germania inferior to Britain at around the same time . Another relocation to the east of the empire is likely. In any case, it still existed under Hadrian's reign (reign 117-138). Perhaps it was smashed during the Bar Kochba uprising from 132 to 135, but it is also possible that it could continue until 161.

After the change of emperor in Rome in 161, the Parthian great king Vologaeses IV occupied the Roman clientele kingdom of Armenia . Vologaeses installed Pacorus as the new king in Armenia. The Cappadocian legate Marcus Sedatius Severianus probably led the Roman counter-attack with the Legio VIIII Hispana 161. At Elegeia there was a battle against the Parthian general Chosroes . The Roman army was completely wiped out within a few days and Severianus committed suicide. After the Roman defeat, the Parthians took advantage of the situation and advanced as far as Cappadocia . What is certain is that the Legion no longer existed in the early years of Mark Aurel's government (reign 161–180).

reception

The earlier presumption that the Legion perished in heavy fighting in northern Britain forms the background for the widespread youth book Der Adler der Ninth Legion (English title "The Eagle of the Ninth") by Rosemary Sutcliff from 1954. An eponymous book The film adaptation of Kevin Macdonald was released in early 2011.

The science fiction writer Ken MacLeod alludes to this novel . In his romantic trilogy “Engines of Light” 2000/2002, the ninth legion disappears because it is transported to another planet by aliens. A Latin-speaking culture emerges there, whereby the name “the Ninth” or “IX” ( the Ninth ) is retained, although it has long since been unrelated.

Two other films took up Sutcliff's book. The director Neil Marshall made the 2010 film Centurion about the border war between Romans and Picts in Scotland. The film deals with the (fictional) fate of the Legio VIIII Hispana around 120 AD and also wrongly connects it with the governorship of Gnaeus Iulius Agricola . The disappearance of a fictional Ninth Legion also plays a role in the film The Last Legion from 2007, but this time in late antiquity .

In episode 10.10 of the science fiction series Doctor Who (The Beast of Light), the Ninth Legion is killed by a transdimensional, light-devouring being.

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A b Lawrence Keppie: The making of the Roman Army. From Republic to Empire , University of Oklahoma Press, Oklahoma 1998, ISBN 978-0-8061-3014-9 , pp. 199-200.
  2. ↑ CIL 5, 397 .
  3. ↑ CIL 3, 551 , AE 1919, 1 .
  4. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k Emil Ritterling: Legio (VIIII Hispana). In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume XII, 2, Stuttgart 1925, Sp. 1664-1668.
  5. ^ Caesar: De bello Gallico 2, 16-28 ( online ).
  6. ↑ Aulus Hirtius : De bello Gallico 8, 6-10 ( online ).
  7. ↑ Caesar: De bello civili 1, 43-60 ( English translation ( Memento of July 8, 2012 in the web archive archive.today )).
  8. ^ Caesar: De bello civili 3, 44ff.
  9. ^ Caesar: De bello civili 3, 89.
  10. ↑ a b c d Jona Lendering: Legio VIIII Hispana . In: Livius.org (English).
  11. ↑ Bellum Africum 53ff. ( English translation ( memento of July 10, 2012 in the web archive archive.today )).
  12. ↑ CIL 3, 551 .
  13. ↑ CIL 5, 911 .
  14. ^ Tacitus, Annales 1: 16-30.
  15. ^ A b c Anthony Richard Birley: The Roman government of Britain , p. 228.
  16. ↑ Malcolm Todd: Roman Britain , Wiley-Blackwell, 1999, ISBN 978-0-631-21464-9 , pp. 59-60.
  17. ^ Sheppard Frere: Britannia: a history of Roman Britain , p. 57.
  18. ^ Sheppard Frere: Britannia: a history of Roman Britain , p. 67.
  19. ^ Tacitus, Annales 14:32.
  20. ^ Sheppard Frere: Britannia: a history of Roman Britain , p. 72.
  21. ↑ Tacitus, Annales 14:38.
  22. ^ Sheppard Frere: Britannia: a history of Roman Britain , p. 83.
  23. ^ Anthony Richard Birley: The Roman government of Britain , pp. 57 and 67.
  24. ^ Tacitus, Agricola 26.
  25. ↑ a b c d Lawrence Keppie: Legions and veterans , pp. 173-179.
  26. ^ Roman Inscriptions of Britain 1, 665.
  27. ^ Duncan B. Campbell: The Fate of the Ninth , chap. 1.
  28. ^ Duncan B. Campbell: The Fate of the Ninth , chap. 9-10.
  29. ^ A b Duncan B. Campbell: The Fate of the Ninth , chap. 11.
  30. ^ Duncan B. Campbell: The Fate of the Ninth , chap. 12.
  31. ^ Duncan B. Campbell: The Fate of the Ninth , chap. 3.
  32. ↑ Marcelo Tilman Schmitt: The Roman Foreign Policy of the 2nd Century AD. Securing Peace or Expansion? Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart 1997, ISBN 978-3-515-07106-2 , pp. 65-66; see: Birley: The Roman government of Britain , p. 229 and Keppie: Legions and veterans , pp. 173–179.
  33. ^ Duncan B. Campbell: The Fate of the Ninth , chap. 8th.