The Disappearance of the 9th Legion 'Hispana'

[Dreamer_love]

Hi Beansi,

that would be cool. This is interesting.

I've got a similiar unsolved mystery... though this one is quite eary.

It's called the Dyatlov pass incident.

Nine scientists where found dead. They found radiation contamination throughout the area and the cause of death is still a mystery

http://www.ermaktravel.com/Europe/Ru...t%20Syakhl.htm

''The Dyatlov Pass incident resulted in the deaths of nine ski hikers in the northern Ural mountains on the night of February 2, 1959. It happened on the east shoulder of the mountain Kholat Syakhl (Холат-Сяхыл) (a Mansi name, meaning Mountain of the Dead). The mountain pass where the incident occurred has since been named Dyatlov Pass (Перевал Дятлова) after the group's leader, Igor Dyatlov (Игорь Дятлов).
The lack of eyewitnesses has inspired much speculation. Soviet investigators determined only that "a compelling natural force" had caused the deaths.[1] Access to the area was barred for skiers and other adventurers for three years after the incident.[2][better source needed] The chronology of the incident remains unclear because of the lack of survivors.[1][3]
Investigators at the time determined that the hikers tore open their tent from within, departing barefoot into heavy snow and a temperature of −30 °C (−22 °F). Although the corpses showed no signs of struggle, two victims had fractured skulls, two had broken ribs, and one was missing her tongue.[2]''

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyatlov_Pass_incident

[knightofalbion]

Yes, one of history's great mysteries. I suspect they were ambushed in an area which prevented them from deploying their formidable battle formation.

The Romans were almost always heavily outnumbered. They got round this by observing the great military law - don't get flanked.
They'd select the battleground and position themselves, using the natural features of the land to prevent their enemy from outflanking them. This meant the enemy's numerical supremacy was neutralized. It was one against one on the battle front. The Romans were protected behind their shield wall and their short stabbing swords were perfect for close quarter fighting and they were marvellous soldiers. For their enemies it was like being fed through a mincing machine.

Three Roman legions were wiped out at the battle of the Teutoburg Forest. When, by an act of treachery, they were led into terrain they were wholly unsuited for.

I suspect the Scots attacked the Romans in a forest, or glen, or pass, and the fighting was fragmented which would have meant the legionaires would have been overwhelmed by sheer weight of numbers.

An interesting article...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12752497

Hi all
Thanks Dreamer Love for your excellent mystery, one that will def warrant my attention.
And Knightofalbion, wasn't it already mentioned that no Scottish clan laid claim to their demise, in fact they were puzzled (Check out Scottish writer William Esposso).Besides if you knew a Scotsman then you wouldn't have had to say this!.... .

[knightofalbion]

Originally Posted by beansi

And Knightofalbion, wasn't it already mentioned that no Scottish clan laid claim to their demise, in fact they were puzzled (Check out Scottish writer William Esposso).Besides if you knew a Scotsman then you wouldn't have had to say this!.... .

Yes, but there was no clan system to lay claim to anything. The clan system did not come into being till many, many years later.

And the Caledonians kept no written records.

Though Roman records record the Roman force in Britain sustaining heavy losses and needing to be urgently reinforced.

The Picts more than likely skinned them alive, although it's hard to know what the Romans first made of the Scottish Natives, with their insistence on running into battle completely stark bollock naked .. they certainly felt them troublesome enough to build a 135 km wall to keep them out anyway.