Welcome to Legio IX Hispana

THE GOAL OF LEGIO IX HISPANA

Our Initial Goal is the reconstruction of a full strength centuria, to be the first Roman reenactment club ever to field such a unit comprised of members all from the same club. If you are contemplating Roman reenactment as a hobby and if you like what you see here then please consider joining us.

Who We Are

We portray a company of soldiers, common Roman soldiers, support auxilia, and civilians, all doing the same time period, presenting a large dynamic display. There are no officers and no fancy titles, no governors or senators or tribunes... no togas. We are common soldiers and the civilians who would have been associated with a Roman military encampment.

Where We Are

We are encamped in the northern part of Provincia Britannia, north of what will become that Hadrian's Wall public works project. It is the late 1st C AD. Let's see.... that should make it approximately March 15, the year 850 since the founding of Rome (97AD) round about 8:30 in the morning. . . or something like that!

What We Are Doing There

We are patrolling and pacifying the region assigned to us as well as making improvements to our temporary camp. There is an Oppidium that needs to be taken by the end of Aprilis. We are also surveying the area for resources, constructing a bridge or two and there are those persistent rumors that we'll be laying a proper road next Spring.

Reenactment Philosophy

The best way to describe what we do is engendered in the phrase 'experiential archeology'. Our displays are dynamic, not static. We are not content with parades and drills or displays of gear. We, via our portrayals, prefer to put our Roman gear and equipment to the test.

We strongly believe that the gear we make or acquire is best portrayed and understood when it is used, used extensively, put to its physical limitations. We do not revere our equipment or handle it with cotton gloves. The gear we make and wear is designed and intended to be durable, fully functional soldier's gear, just like the originals.

• If it bends, we straighten it.
• If it breaks, we fix it.
• If it is destroyed, we replace it.

Benefits of Joining Legio IX Hispana

• We focus our combined energies on creating a dynamic group impression from a single time period. We do not do timelines of Legio IX through history
• We have established an infrastructure and support network that's designed to get you started very quickly. No need for you to re-invent the wheel.
• To maintain a high level of authenticity we make much of the armor, weapons, gear and other equipment that we use. We make our Kit by hand when we can, using hand tools whenever we can, even making tools when we need to! We do not use modern mass production precision methods for armor or belt fittings. We hand cut, hand form or hand cast whenever we can. Our gear is not precise because the gear that's been found is also not precise. "With few exceptions, most modern replicas are too well made." M.C. Bishop.¹  We are that exception and we do it exceedingly well.
• We use the gear... in addition to highly informative displays and educational demonstrations at Military Timelines, History Events (Faires, Highland Games et al), Corporate Functions, Museums, and Schools, (Elementary through University) many of us engage in simulated weapons combat, we build Roman encampments, we also go on full kit Campaign Marches in which the total weight of the Kit weighs 110lbs!
• We have tens of thousands of hours of experience using Roman armor, gear, weapons, far more than any other club in North America. The experiences of using simulated weapons in intensely physical combat scenarios (something Roman soldiers actually did!) has endowed us with a perspective that is profoundly unique in Roman reenactment anywhere in the world, a perspective that can't be learned from parading, drills, books or movies, nor from theatrical fighting no matter how sharp the gladius.
• By joining, you can acquire highly authentic re-enactment grade equipment, armor, weapons and other gear from Member Resources...
  
• ...and to quote Marcus, "The pay's good, the water's clean."

Becoming A Participant Member of Legio IX Hispana

If you are new to Roman re-enactment you will find a wealth of resources here at our website, useful information that can assist you in becoming a Roman reenactor. However, if you like what we do, if you like what we represent and if you like who we are you are welcome to join us!

It is quite easy to become a Participant Member of 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 with us in accomplishing our Goals, plus the ability to acquire and use the required Kit as a member of Legio IX Hispana.

If you are already a Roman reenactor joining is also simple. However, it requires that existing Kit be approved for use in Legio IX Hispana. For existing reenactors with equipment that does not meet our Standards we have a excellent program to help you upgrade your gear often times at no monetary cost!

Physical Appearance

We are modern people and this is a hobby. Sometimes modern conditions can interfere with a good depiction of a common Roman soldier. Here are some guidelines:

• Participant Members as soldiers should be in good physical shape, fit and capable of using the armor and gear. The armor weighs about 18lbs and the scutum weighs 15-18 lbs.
•  Whenever possible those who need glasses should wear contacts or not wear glasses. If glasses must be worn they should be minimal in appearance with light frames, and not have colored or polarizing lenses.
•  Jewelry. Any modern jewelry should not be visible.
• Tattoos. Tattoos must not be visible. A fun and educational way to hide a tattoo is to cover it with a Roman bandage.
• Hair. Modern hairstyles including cut and coloration should be avoided. Hair length is generally not an issue. Facial hair is allowed but trimmed and shaped facial hair should be historically acceptable.
• Makeup. Unacceptable on Soldiers except when used to disguise modern affectations such as tattoos or to disguise gender.
• Ethnicity. Not a concern.

Becoming a Soldier of Legio IX Hispana

If you are interested in recreating the life and times of a common Roman soldier stationed on the Frontier along with the wives, children and civilians that would have been there; if you are interested in learning how to use the arms, armor and equipment, learning why the gear and equipment has the form it does; if you are not afraid to get a little dirty, or dented, or sweaty, or even a bit rusty... then Legio IX Hispana is definitely the Roman reenactment club for you.

Getting Started as Roman Soldier

It's very, very easy.

1. Apply for Membership. You'll then be contacted by a member of the Centurio's staff.
2. Make or acquire a tunica, balteus and caligae or calceus (soldier's tunic, plain belt, soldier shoes). We can set you up with patterns and instructions, or we can supply the needed materials in Kit form or you can buy these items fully assembled.

Costs

Military re-enactment from any time period can be an expensive hobby. Roman re-enactment can be just expensive too... but only if you really, really want it to be.

From a vendor, a hand-crafted custom made Roman helmet can cost $600 or more!  But with us, you can MAKE it for much cheaper!! You can also spend that much for a gladius AND another $600 for a lorica segmentata.... but only if you truly want to.

Since we make most of the gear we need you can acquire your entire Basic Kit for about $700. That includes reenactor grade segmentata custom made to fit you, helmet, gladius, pugio, pilum, scutum, clothes, shoes, balteus militare and various belts. Nor do you have to acquire it all at once. We have a program that allows you to make monthly payments! You can even trade labor for Kit in which case it can cost very little to become a Roman soldier. We also have an in-house barter system! We are firmly dedicated to making this hobby affordable and successful!

Becoming a Civilian in Legio IX Hispana

Yes, some members portray civilians. We do not portray aristocracy, tribunes, generals, priestesses. No one wears a toga! Civilian members are those common people who would accompany or interact with a camp of Roman soldiers. This can include the women and children of soldiers, as well as assorted craftsmen and local civilians. Civilian members are often native or local born, often Britons but sometimes civilians from other parts of the Empire.

The portrayal of historic crafts is an important part of what we do and is thus strongly encouraged! Information about the Daily Life of Civilians can be found here: Legio IX Hispana Vicus

• Write to us or call for information.
• Learn how to form a chapter in your area.
• Transfers are welcome. Learn how you can join Legio IX Hispana!

for pre-Colonial Impression, 2003, 2004 and 2006.

Hibernicus and the unit after receiving the award from event director Lou Lopez.

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(1) Lorica Segmentata: A Handbook of Articulated Roman Plate Armor, M.C. Bishop, page 95