Becoming A Participant
It is quite easy to become a participant with Legio IX Hispana no matter where you live. What you do need is the desire to be a part of what we are doing, to join us in accomplishing our goals, plus the ability to acquire and use the required Kit as a soldier of Legio IX Hispana.

Printiable Participants Form


The Goals of Legio IX Hispana
Our primary goal is the reconstruction of a full strength Centuria (a Century), to be the first Roman reenactment club ever to field such a unit comprised of members all from the same club. Target date: July, 2004. Our long term goal is the formation of a full strength Legion.

Sound like fun? Then join us in the pursuit of that goal! Become a Participating Member, help form a Vexillatio (chapter) in your area. There's nothing lonelier than one Roman soldier!

Joining
A very simple thing to do. Fill out the Participants Registration Form, follow the instructions and mail it in.

Printable Participants Registration Form

Dues
This is very important point for us.... there is no dues. We would rather see you spend your money on gear and equipment!

Benefits
- We are the largest Roman reenactment club in the US.
- We have thousand and thousands of hours of experience using Roman armor, gear, weapons and simulated weapons which gives a perspective that is unique in Roman reenactment.
- We use the gear... in addition to highly informative static displays and educational demonstrations, many of us also use the gear in simulated weapons combat, treks, encampment construction and more.
- There are many opportunities to learn how to make and use Roman armor, weapons, gear and other equipment
- Some Vexillatio (local chapters) have loaner gear and workshops where you can borrow or make much of the gear you'll need.
- Participant Member prices for gear from our own Workshops!
- We're equipping a cavalry unit
- We're working on plans to build a Roman boat
-- and to quote Gaius, "The pay's good and the water's clean."

Annual Muster
The Legio gathers once a year for 3 - 4 days. If you can only participate in one event per year outside of your Vexillatio's "patrol area" this is THE event you will want to attend. Currently our Annual Muster is held at Old Ft Mac Arthur Days in San Pedro, California. This is the largest annual military history timeline event west of the Appalachian Mountains held on or about July 4. We camp and eat on-site with a view of the Pacific Ocean. The weather is usually very mild.
In 2003 Legio IX Hispana will dig and build a fort entrenchment!

Re-enactment Philosophy
We portray a company of soldiers, common Roman soldiers with support Auxilia, in the first quarter of the 2nd C AD, all doing the same time period, presenting a large cohesive display.

More specifically our unit is stationed in the field a few days march north of that construction project that will become known as Hadrian's Wall. We patrol, train and perform various soldierly tasks.

We do not guard the stately villas of aristocrats, nor do we escort the haughty wives of dignitairies on their way to the birthday party of the wife of some Camp Prefect.

Nor do we guard roads. Sure, we've built our share of walls and slopped clay for countless roof tiles. The fortresses at Lindum and Eburacum (Lincoln and York) are our handiwork, but frankly we're far better at tearing walls down!

We are soldiers and we fight. We are stationed north of the Wall while others build it for a very good reason. There is even a rumor that we may be shipped to the Rhine to fight Germanii raiders. Why? Because we fight.

Others can make bricks or pound rock for road beds. We make their work safe by patrolling the hills and glens to the north. Others can spend their days chipping stones for walls or grinding lime for mortar and whitewash. We spend our days subduing Caledonii and sending Pictii slaves south to lend the wall buildiers a hand.

Rank, Duty and Priviledge
The ultimate goal of every Legio IX Hispana Participant is recreating an early 2nd C AD common Roman soldier impression. Soldiers are the essential core of any reenactment impression. Too many officers and it begins to look like a parade of peacocks.

Vexillatio of Legio IX Hispana earn the need for a Centurio, Optios and Decurios by growing large enough to warrant such appointments. The person selected is the most qualified not the most popular.

Become a Roman Reenactor with Legio IX Hispana
Reenacting Roman military life is, when compared to all the various choices for historical military reenactment, one of the simplest and least expensive.

Simple because all that you need to get started is the Minimal Participation Kit comprised of three items... Tunica, Caliga, Balteus (tunic, shoes and a simple belt) .

Inexpensive because your Basic Kit (clothes, weapons, armor and shield) will cost only about $700.

How to get Started
All you need are that tunica, caliga and balteus. Make or acquire these items and you now have the basics for participating with Legio IX Hispana as well as most Roman re-eanctment clubs.

Where do I Get a Tunica, Balteus, and Caliga
Tunica: You will make your own tunica, preferably sewn by hand. It's remarkably simple. Here's a pattern and instructions: Tunica.
Balteus: Your balteus can be a plain brown leather belt with a simple brass buckle or a woven belt. You will make a Cingulum (soldier's belt) later.
Caliga: Caliga can be purchased or made. It will cost about $40 if you make everything yourself or start with a basic caliga from our Workshop for $40.
Once you acquire your Minimal Participation Kit you are ready to start becoming a Roman soldier of Legio IX Hispana.
A photo of a probatus in Minimal Participation Kit.

Do I Need Armor?
Not to start. There are many things can learn as a Roman reenactor such as the commands and maneuver drills for starters. Some Vexillatio may even have loaner gear. The Southern California chapter has loaner gear for over 15!

Where Do I Get Armor and Weapons
A friendly warning: DO NOT buy armor, weapons or any Kit items from unapproved sources. Internet auction sights are usually not a place to find reeanactor grade gear. Many very legitimate armorers, many in bisuiness for several years sell items labelled as "Roman" but on examination these are merely impressions of Roman gear and not reenactor grade. Auction site gear is even more questionable. Be very wary, be extremely wary. Too many potential reenactors have been ripped off too often. Check with a reliable authority. Here are a few sources: Legio XX in Maryland: Matt Amt or Roman Army Talk on EZ Boards or Legio IX Hispana.

Armor
Most Participants make their armor. In Legio IX Hispana we use the Corbridge Segmentata variations. The cost to make this armor is about $130 and will take no more than 40 hours to make. Most of that depends upon your skill level. Our helmets come primarily from Deepeeka in India. Deepeeka manufactures a limited line of reeanctor grade Roman gear that can be made acceptable with a small amount of work.

We do not wear occrea (greaves) or manica (articulated arm armor), nor crestas or feathers. We are soldiers in the field.

Gladius. Several variations are acceptable. Differences in the hand grip, pommel and scabbard are acceptable. We can make our own, usually with a simple scabbard. The Deepeeka version meets minimal standards. Some other merchants make accurate very functional reproductions.

Pugio. Currently the Deepeeka pugio meets the minimum standards. Some other merchants make accurate very functional reproductions. We also make our own.

Pilum. We usually make our own. Lead weights are acceptable

Scutum. Made in house.

Getting it Together
It is our experience that it can take the average participant about a year to make the Basic Kit. Fortunately many items can be purchased. Unfortunately, the Lorica Segmentata, in order to fit well and be comfortable to use and wear should be custom fit. This makes off the shelf Segmentata awkward.

Making it all Work
As with all things we do related to Roman reenactment we are dealing with an archaeological record that is very incomplete when compared to say... American Civil War which is very well documented. Much of what we do is based on historically sound guesses and a certain amount of well grounded speculation. Much of what we do are generalizations and inferences applied across hundreds of years which fills gaps in the historical record for our purposes as reenactors. This is THE dilemma of Roman reenactors. To solve that issue for ourselves we have adopted a set of Standards, including a list of items we call the Full Kit for Legio IX Hispana. This is to insure that Particpants are on the same track. We are also committed to making changes or adjustments when archaeology provides new information.

What we've learned as living historians doing experiential archaeology is also important. A good example is the concession from current historians with an abiding interest in Roman reenactment, that a padded undergarment (subarmalis or thormachus) was worn under the lorica segmentata, that concession coming after years of suggestions (complaints ?) from reenactors that the body armor caused "armor bites".

Not Just For the Livingroom
The gear we make and wear is designed and intended to be used. Durable, soldier gear. If you are more interested in collecting Roman equipment rather than using it then perhaps Legio IX Hispana is not the club for you. If, however, you are interested in recreating the life and times of a common Roman soldier stationed on the Frontier, not afraid to get a little dirty, scratched or a bit rusty then Legio IX Hispana is definitely the Roman military reeanctment club for you.

Gaius Valerius Tacitus Hibernicus
Centurio, Legio IX Hispana

Sean Richards
legioix@pacbell.net

Mail:
Legio IX Hispana
3208 32nd Street
San Diego, CA USA
92104-4736