In 55 BC, Marcus Licinius Crassus led a Roman army into Parthia, what is now north-eastern Iran. In what has become known as the battle of Carrhae, his army was annihilated - or so it was thought at the time.Ten years later, Chinese Imperial histories record capturing a mercenary army of white soldiers fighting for the Parthians. The Roman testudo formation is described in detail, as is the strange fact that they have white skin and blue/green eyes, and even a Chinese transliteration of the the word "Legion" is recorded as "Lee Chian".That army is then settled by the Han emperor in a remote region of Gansu.
Jonathan Kos-Read's Flickr set Via Alan Parker's Facebook page
I've read a paperback with that legion as its central story, but no idea of the author or title.
ReplyDeleteThee is no such thing as a "Caucasian DNA test". Romans, maybe, but has anyone ever determined what part of the Empire that Lost Legion came from? Legions in Britain came from Africa and the Balkans.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was an interesting story and followed it up on Google. I found a number of articles that present the premise that Roman soldiers were marched to China after losing a major battle. There is an archeological excavation underway in the area that may provide more concrete evidence to support that theory.
ReplyDeleteTheres a series of books based upon this Legion. Its called "The Forgotten Legion" by Ben Kane
ReplyDeleteThanks Scott.
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