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Modern History


History and Background




Legio IX Hispana was founded in 1994 as a combined SCA warband(Society for Creative Anachronisms) and Roman reenactment club. Within the SCA we were known as The 9th Legion. While under my command we earned many accolades including the highest award bestowed upon a Warband in the Kingdom of Caid... The Crossed Swords... awarded to us twice, something only 5 other Warbands have achieved in the 30 years of the award1s existence.

In late 1999, The 9th Legion and Legio IX* Hispana (*nona) were officially separated because of the demands of historical reenanctment and the changing desires of several members not interested in Roman reenactment. In January of 2000 we began to rebuild Legio IX Hispana.

Several members of Legio IX Hispana continue to enjoy participation as fighters in several warbands within the SCA. SCA war fighting is an extraordinarily fun and vigorous activity providing an opportunity to put your Roman gear and Roman military skills to the test!

Today
Our group persona is that of a Vexillatio (detachment) of Legio IX Hispana stationed on extended duties some miles north of Hadrian1s Wall in the year 847 (95 AD). We set up a typical soldier's camp that includes the women and children of soldiers as well as other civilians. We are not a glitzy polished guard or parade duty unit, but soldiers in the field.

Our Goal is to become the first Roman reenactment club in the world to field a full strength Centuria ... the Goal of the Century

Our activities include the following:
- Participation at various cultural venues...Highland Games Military Timeline events;
- Exercitium where members drill, train and learn the art of Roman soldiering;
- Armatura at which members make armor, clothes and other gear;
- SCA events. This helps promote us and provides an additional venue for being Roman but without having to put on a show for the public;
- Annual 2 day campout. Two days and one night as Roman soldiers;
- Film and TV work; (Roman War Machine, Battle Gear, The Most with more on the way)
- Special Projects include the construction of Roman artillery;
- Activities for non soldiers... Do you need to be an armored soldier to participate? Absolutely not. The wives, children, partners and friends of soldiers are very welcome and have a place in our club. There are a variety of daily living activities and craft skills that can be learned and demonstrated. A Roman military unit often had 3soldiers2 called Immunes who had special skills as engineers, clerks, surveyors, and medical personnel (there are many more!.

Physical requirements. You need to be in good physical shape to participate as a soldier. When at events, we wear armor all day long. Activities include marching, drilling and weapons practice. This can be physically demanding.

Participation is essential and encouraged but participation at every event is not expected.

Traditions. Legio IX Hispana has some long held traditions, some fun, some silly and some serious, all of which you will learn as you participate.

Good soldiering. Many reenactment clubs of various historic periods make the serious mistake of having too many officers and not enough soldiers. Not us. We do however have a simple system for recognizing participation and rewarding success at reenactment.

The Basic Kit you will eventually need to become a Miles Gregarius (soldier) includes the following: tunica, focale (kerchief), bracae (pants), caliga, cingulum (military belt), lorica segmentata, galea (helmet), gladius, pugio, pila, drinking vessel, and pouch. Most members take about a year to acquire the Basic Kit.

And just for fun, there is a whole long list of other gear you can get to round out your Roman character, like most members you will make or acquire that gear as you go along. See: The Complete List Of Things For A Miles Gregarius or the Codex Hispana

Roman reenactment in the USA is still relatively new. Until recently most of all our gear had to be made in our own garages and hobby rooms or purchased at outrageous prices and cruelly much of that gear was not and still is not historically accurate. Always check with the Centurio.

Help build an Empire!