Category Archives: Romans

Gladiators

Types of Gladiators

Gladiators fights were an important part of the entertainment Romans loved to watch. Although gladiators were made up mainly of defeated enemy soldiers, criminals and slaves they were greatly admired and appreciated by the public. The most successful and therefore famous gladiators were hailed as heroes and achieved the kind of status afforded today to modern celebrity sporting personalities. Of course gladiators were not free and only the lucky ones survived. The brutality of their existence meant that many were killed in the arena to the delight of the blood thirsty Roman audiences.

There were various types of gladiator. Each had a specific set of arms and equipment and was trained in the gladiator school to fight in a certain way. Sometimes two gladiators of the same type fought each other. Alternatively different types could be paired up to fight. In this case each tried to outwit the other using his specialist  fighting style.

Although there are no specific records about gladiator types it has been possible to work out what they were from evidence in mosaics, inscriptions on gravestones, texts by writers of the ancient world, ancient paintings and through armour and equipment found in places like Pompeii.

A retiarius gladiator stabs at his secutor opp...

A retiarius gladiator stabs at his secutor opponent with his trident. Mosaic from the villa at Nennig. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here are the main types:

  • Thraeces
  • Murmillones
  • Hoplomachi
  • Retiarii
  • Secutores
  • Provocatores
  • Essadarii
  • Dimachaeri
  • Velites
  • Paegniarii
  • Equites
  • Andabatae

Thraeces

He carried a small curved sword ( sica ) and a small round or square shield ( parma ). As the shield could only protect his chest and stomach he also wore high leg plates.

Murmillones

The murmillo carried a long shield ( scutum ) and was armed with a narrow sword ( gladius ). Because he had a long shield he wore short leg plates.

Hopolomachii

The hoplomachus had a lance, short sword and a small bronze shield.

Retiarius

He wore no helmet or armour except for a bronze plate over his left shoulder and upper arm. He carried a throwing net and his maim armament was a trident. He sometimes also had a dagger.

Secutor

The secutor ore a helmet with small circular eye holes which meant that he had limited vision and had to get in close to his opponent to have a chance of winning.

Provocatores

Equipped with long shields, leg plates on the left leg only, breast plates and short swords.

Essadarii

Rode in chariots and dismounted to fight on foot.

Dimachaeri

Fought with two swords.

Veles

Fought with a spear.

Paegniarii

Wearing leather armour and with no helmet or shield they were armed with a whip and a stick with a hook on the end. They generally fought each other.

Equites

Wearing multi coloured tunics and with medium sized shields they fought with spears and swords.

Andabatae

These gladiators were either blindfolded or wore helmets with no eye holes. They fought each other with swords.

In addition to the above there were also special gladiators who were trained to fight animals.

Venatores

Animal hunters.

Bestiarii

Men who fight wild beasts.

 

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My Day Trip To Vindolanda ( Hadrian’s Wall )

Visiting Vindolanda

Roman writing tablet from the Vindolanda Roman...

Roman writing tablet from the Vindolanda Roman fort of Hadrian’s Wall, in Northumberland (1st-2nd century AD). Tablet 343: Letter from Octavius to Candidus concerning supplies of wheat, hides and sinews. British Museum (London) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Although the weather wasn’t perfect I decided to head on up to Northumberland anyway. It was a rather dull, cool, dreary day but I had been promising myself this trip for ages and so off I went. It took me about an hour to drive from my home in Richmond, North Yorkshire up the A68 to Corbridge. From there I followed the A69 in the direction of Carlisle, passing Hexham and eventually turning right and up through the village of Wall and on to Vindolanda. Overall the journey took me about an hour and a half. I arrived at 11.30 am.

Vindolanda is not actually on Hadrian’s Wall. It is one of the forts built along the Stanegate Road which was the original frontier line before the wall was built.

Wall Turret

Wall Turret

I paid my £10 entrance fee, bought a guide book £3.99 and then sat in the reception area and did some reading before setting off to explore the site.  I was particularly interested in the reconstruction of a section of wall and turret which has been built to show what the original wall may have been like. There is also a reconstruction in timber too. The museum at the bottom of the hill is excellent and contains examples of the incredible writing tablets discovered at the bottom of a bonfire which the Romans had used to burn rubbish. Fortunately hundreds survived the fire and provide an amazing insight into life at Vindolanda.

I walked back to my car for lunch at 1.30 pm and then returned to go on the guided tour at 2 pm. The gentleman ( called Mike ) who took us round did a great job explaining the history of the place and pointing out all of the key areas. I am glad I stayed for this. Most informative.

I left at 3.15 pm and drove the seven miles to the Roman Army Museum. Entrance to this was included with my ticket. Although it is fairly small the museum is excellent. Superb displays and several excellent film shows about life in the Roman Army and Hadrian’s Wall.

By 5 pm I was ready to head for home. I had thoroughly enjoyed my day out in the wilds of Northumberland. I didn’t have time to walk along the wall or visit any of the other sites. In fact I could have spent longer here. Vindolanda and The Roman Army Museum requires a full day to do it justice.

Next time I will be visiting Housteads and walking along a section of the wall too but I’m going to pick a nice sunny day in the summer.

Find out more about life in Ancient Rome by booking a Roman Workshop Day for your school.

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Imagining Ancient Rome

Rome As It Might Have Been

At its zenith the ancient City of Rome was the capital of the civilized world with an estimated population of over a million people. Its vibrancy was the heart beat of the Empire.

It is hard for us to imagine what it must have been like to walk through crowded, teaming, noisy, bustling streets or what we could expect to see in the the forums or bascillicas.

The Forum, Rome

The Forum, Rome, as it is today.

The following description taken from the book Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz, helps us to perceive Rome as it may have been:

There appeared Ethiopians, gigantic light-haired people from the distant north, Britons, Gauls, Germans, sloping-eyed dwellers of Lericum; Syrians from the banks of the Orontes, with black and mild eyes; dwellers in the deserts of Arabia, dried as bone; Jews, with their flat breasts; Egyptians, with eternal, indifferent smile on their faces; Numidians and Africans; Greeks from Hellas, who equally with the Romans commanded the city, but commanded through, art, wisdom, and deceit; Greeks from the islands, from Asia Minor, from Egypt, from Italy, from Narbonic Gaul. In the throng of slaves, with pierced ears, were not lacking also freemen, -an idle population, which Caesar amused, supported, even clothed,-and free visitors, whom the ease of life and the prospects of fortune enticed to the gigantic city; there was no lack of venal persons. There were priests of Serapis, with palm branches in their hands; priests of Isis, to whose altar more offerings were brought than to the temple of Capitoline Jove; priests of Cybele, bearing in their hands golden ears of rice; and priests of nomad divinities; and dancers of the east with bright head-dresses, and dealers in amulets, and snake tamers, and Chaldean seers; and, finally, people without any occupation whatever, who applied for grain every week at the storehouses on the Tiber, who fought for lottery-tickets to Circus, who spent their nights in rickety houses of districts beyond the Tiber, and sunny warm days under covered poticos, and in foul eating houses of the Subura, on the Milvan bridge, or before the “insulae” of the great, where from time to time remnants from the tables of slaves were thrown out to them.

Clearly multiculturalism is not a modern invention. Ancient Rome must have been a wonder to behold with its diversity of cultures, its magnificent buildings, impressive statues and beautiful wall paintings.

Find out more about life in Ancient Rome by booking a Roman Workshop Day for your school.

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Roman Fortress

My Visit To Caerleon

English: Prysg Field Barracks, Caerleon Catego...

English: Prysg Field Barracks, Caerleon Category:Pictures of Caerleon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Living in the north of England means that I reside close to lots of interesting Roman sites including historic York, once the base for the ill fated Ninth Legion, the world famous Hadrian’s Wall and many other fascinating  places. My occupation as a school workshop provider takes me to locations all over England. I travel to schools in the North East, the North West, The Midlands and the South. It’s a great job and I do enjoy exploring new places.

I don’t very often travel into Wales and so when I was booked to go to a school in Haverford West I was excited. I realised that my journey would take me along the M4 past Newport and the village of Caerleon which is only a few minutes off the motorway.

In Roman times Caerleon was called Isca and this is where the Roman Army built one of their great Legionary Fortresses. The site was probably selected because of its close proximity to the river Usk enabling the Romans to supply the garrison by boat. Over five thousand men would be stationed here and this meant that a considerable amount of food, weapons and general stores would have to regularly brought in. Isca was to be the base of the Second Augustan Legion. It was from here that they campaigned against and subdued the tribes of South Wales.

There are four main areas of interest, two are outdoors and two are indoors.

The Amphitheatre

Romans loved their games even though they were often brutal and blood thirsty. Animal hunting, gladiator fights and public executions were all regular forms of entertainment. Amphitheatres were built to provide a stadium where live shows of all kinds could be staged. The amphitheatre at Caerleon is the only fully excavated one in Britain and is well worth a visit. When I walked round I found it easy to imagine how it might have been in its glory days. The arena is a perfect circle and it is surrounded by grassy embankments above which once there would have been seating for up to six thousand people.

The Roman Barracks

Across the road from the Amphitheatre is an area where the foundations of some of the barrack blocks have been exposed. The earth  mound forming part of the perimeter defences can clearly be seen as well as several entrances, cooking areas and  latrine. In the barrack blocks you can see the foundations of the walls for all of he our man rooms and the larger quarters for the centurion or company commander. You can also see the perimeter road which ran right round the camp on the inside of the perimeter wall.

The Roman Baths

Bathing was an essential part of Roman life. The Roman Baths were the equivalent of a modern day sports complex. In fact they were much more than this because people went here not just to exercise and bathe but also to meet with friends and socialize. They were the hub of the community. Visitors can really get a feel for what the Roman Baths must have been like. The exhibition centre covers only a small area once occupied by the original buildings. I was staggered to learn that the complex would have been comparable in size to a cathedral.  One of my favourite objects on display was the sponge on a stick which was used instead of toilet paper. I had heard of these but never actually seen one.

The Roman Army Museum

Just a few minutes walk from the Baths and right in the centre of the village is the Roman Army Museum. I loved it. The museum is full of artefacts of all kinds discovered in and around the fortress. It tells the story of the Roman Army, the conquest and occupation of Wales and life in the fortress.  There is also a very nice Roman Garden carefully laid out and maintained just as it would have been. I thoroughly enjoyed looking round and I was able to pick up some valuable educational resources from the shop on the way out.

I am so glad I took the time to investigate Isca. I found the experience most useful and it has added to my knowledge and understanding of the Romans.

I can’t wait or my next Roman History Workshop Day.

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Roman Soldier Visit

Roman Army Day for Schools

English: Legio III Cyrenaica of New England (U...

Book a Roman Soldier Visit for your school.

The Romans had  the most highly organized and efficient army of the ancient world. The might of the army enabled Rome to expand its empire across the Mediterranean world and beyond.

The Roman soldier was highly trained and well equipped. The Roman infantry soldiers or legionaries were the core fighting force.  Each legionary was well protected with helmet, body armour and a special shield called a scutum. His main armament was a short stabbing sword or gladius and a throwing spear or pilum.

The army was organized into Legions each having its own supporting cavalry and artillery units. Within its ranks every Legion also had many specialist surveyors, engineers and craftsmen.

Roman soldiers practised their battle tactics and fought in special formations according to the situation and enemy opposing them. They were experts in road construction and also built their own forts and supply depots.

Find out more about Roman Soldiers and the Roman Army by booking a Roman Soldier Visit for your school.

Learn about:

  • Organization
  • Training
  • Tactics
  • Weapons
  • Equipment
  • Forts
  • Roads
  • and more…

Children will also take part in Roman Army Battle Drill and practice formations and tactics using safe replica equipment made from plastic or foam.

See also Roman History Day for schools.

Contact us now for more information about this exciting living history experience.

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Roman History Workshop Day

Romans

Modern replica of lorica segmentata type armor...
Roman History Day is the perfect way to inspire the children in your school to learn more about the ancient Romans, The Roman Army and what it was like to live in Roman Times.

This exciting school workshop experience brings history to life enabling children to learn from listening to interesting facts, looking at fascinating visual displays, examining a range of unusual artifacts, taking part in teacher lead discussions and participating in a range of practical activities.

In addition to finding out about the daily life of a Roman citizen the children get to meet a Roman soldier, to see his armour, weapons and equipment and practice Roman Army battle tactics.

Roman History Day covers the following aspects of Roman culture and civilization:

  • Food and Dining
  • Family
  • Education
  • Housing
  • Politics and Law
  • Goverment
  • Entertainment, Sports and Amusements
  • Slavery
  • Religion
  • The Roman Army
  • Architecture and Engineering

Roman History Day explains how Rome began, the expansion of the Roman Empire and the Roman Conquest of Britain. The importance of the Roman Army including:

  • Weapons and Equipment
  • Tactics
  • Roman Forts
  • Roman Roads
  • Hadrian’s Wall

Roman History Day is factual and fun. It is a great WOW day for Primary Schools and can be booked for KS1 or KS2.
The content and style of presentation is age appropriate and allowance is made for different levels of ability.

CALL NOW for your FREE quotation.

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Roman Currency

Roman Coins

Roman currency consisted of copper, bronze, silver and gold coins.

Hoard of Roman coins (599 silver denarii that ...

Hoard of Roman coins (599 silver denarii that were hidden in a locally made cooking pot) discovered at Llanvaches, Monmouthshire in 2006; now held at the Caerleon Museum. From the date of the latest coin the hoard was probably buried around A.D. 160. These coins were found in June 2006 at Llanvaches, near Caerwent. Many retired soldiers of the Second Augustan Legion settled in the nearby town of Venta Silurum, which is now Caerwent. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The coins were as follows, starting with the least valuable:

As

The As was a copper coin. Plural, asses.

 Sestertium

The sestertium, a bronze coin worth 4 assess. Plural, sestertii.

 Denarius

The denarius, a silver coin worth 4 sestertii or 16 asses. Plural, denarii.

 Aureus

The aureus, a gold coin worth 25 denarii or 100 sestertii. Plural, aureii.

 

This is a general guide as other coins were produced in different parts of the Roman Empire at different periods.

The actual value of the coins changed and inflation was a serious problem. Bartering was also used for trading purposes.

 

Roman History Day is factual and fun. It is a great WOW day for Primary Schools and can be booked for KS1 or KS2.
The content and style of presentation is age appropriate and allowance is made for different levels of ability.

CALL NOW for your FREE quotation.

Check price and availability now!

 

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The Roman Kings

The Seven Kings of Ancient Rome

The Capitoline she-wolf with the boys Romulus ...

Before the Roman Republic was formed Rome was a monarchy.
There were seven kings. They were as follows:

Romulus, 753 – 714 B.C.

Numa Pompilius, 714 – 671

Tullus Hostilius, 671 – 642

Ancus Martius, 642 – 617

Tarquinius Priscus, 617- 579

Services Tullius, 579 – 535

Tarquinius Superbus, 535 – 509

Thereafter Rome became a Republic and was ruled by elected officials. At the head of the government were two annually elected consuls.

When the Republic finally fell Rome became an Empire and was ruled by one man, the Emperor.

The first Roman Emperor was Augustus who reigned from 27 B.C. until 14 A. D.

Roman History Day is factual and fun. It is a great WOW day for Primary Schools and can be booked for KS1 or KS2.
The content and style of presentation is age appropriate and allowance is made for different levels of ability.

CALL NOW for your FREE quotation.

Check price and availability now!

 

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