Lost Roman Legions

• The Legions of the Roman Army won many Battles which led to the creation of the Roman Empire.
• However, if a Legion was completely destroyed during a Battle, a decision was sometimes taken not to rebuild it. Instead the lost Eagle of the Legion captured by the enemy, would be pursued in another Battle or by Treaty until it was returned.

The Lost Legions by Province

• Britannia (Britain)
  • Legio IX Hispana between c.108-120 CE.
    • Based at York, Britannia until c.120 CE: The Legion disappears from the Record after 108 CE and is replaced at York between 119-122 CE by the Legio VI Hispana.
    • Its fate is unknown. One theory is that it may have been sent to quell Bar Kokhba's Revolt in Judaea 132-5 CE and possibly be the unnamed Legion that was lost there.

• Germania (Germany)
  • Legio XVII in 9 CE:
    • Destroyed by the German Tribes at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.
  • Legio XVIII in 9 CE:
    • Destroyed by the German Tribes at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.
  • Legio XIX in 9 CE:
    • Destroyed by the German Tribes at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.
    • Germanicus recaptured 2 Standards in 15 and 16 CE. The other was recaptured in 41 CE. They were placed in the Temple of Mars in the Forum of Augustus.

• Dacia (Roumania)
  • Legio V Alaudae in 86 CE.
    • During the Dacian Wars with 10,000 men captured and 20,000 killed. Their Standard was recovered by Trajan in 101 or 102 CE.
  • Legio XXI Rapax in 92 CE.
    • Also during the Dacian Wars, the Legion was destroyed by the Dacians and the Sarmatians.

• Moesia Inferior (Bulgaria)
  • Legio VI Hispana in 251 CE.
    • During the Battle of Abritus in Moesia Inferior, the Legion was destroyed by the Scythians.

• Parthia (Persia)
  • 54 BCE Battle of Carrhae in Parthia:
    • Crassus took seven Legions involving up to c. 44,000 men to Parthia. Only 10,000 returned. The lost Legion numbers were not recorded.
    • In 20 BCE, thirty-three years later, the lost Eagles of the Legions were returned to Augustus. They were placed in the Temple of Mars in the Forum of Augustus.
  • 260 CE Battle of Edessa:
    • The Emperor Valerian and 70,000 Legionaries were taken prisoner. The lost legion numbers are not recorded, but the Legio VI Ferrata disappears from the record after 250 CE, and was possibly lost in this battle..

• Unknown Location
  • Legio XXII Deiotariana disappears from the record by 145 CE.
    • In 132-135 CE Bar Kokhba's Revolt in Judaea involved 12 Legions fighting here and one was completely destroyed. It may have been this lost Legion, but as it was not listed as being present during the Revolt its fate is unknown.