The
night from Saturday to Sunday had been awful. Towards the
morning we had strong winds, torrential rain, it seemed
more link October than the middle of the summer!
     
An often
cold and sometimes wet awakening for the Romans,
especially those who had spent the night in the tents.
12.30-13.15 Parade
through the entire park & Presentation
in the Arena (all the groups)
13.30-14.00 Fashion Show: Roman Army
from 200 BC to 400 AD (I Germanica)
14.15-14.45 Late Roman drill (II
Herculia & Foederati)
15.00-15.30 The Big Fight (Teuxandrii, I
Minerva, Batavi, Dun Gwalch & Litus Saxonicum)
15.30-16.00 Gladiators (Archeon, most of
us as honour guards)
12.30-13.15 Parade through the entire park & Presentation in the Forum (all the groups)
    
After lunch, despite the rain, most of the soldiers
gathered outside the basilica to march through the entire
park. I think that was a particular proud moment –
all of us neglecting the rain, laughing at mud, rust and
ignoring that just a few visitors had dared to visit the
park to come and watch us – I guess we marched more
for ourselves at that moment.
The cuneus marches!
   
The
presentation inside the arena went better than yesterday.
After the march we gather at a wet forum, because the
arena was flooded in places, making it impossible to do
our presentation there. We formed a fulcum, to be pelted
with mock plumbatae. Then we formed the cuneus which,
slow but unstoppable, culminated in a wild charge at (and
almost into) the public!
13.30-14.00 Fashion
Show: Roman
Army from 200 BC to 400 AD (I Germanica)
Forced indoors, the members of Legio I Germanica
performed their show at close range to the public.
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Of course, throwing your plumbatae can be tricky
inside! Ivan.. |
..with plumbatae on the inside of his shield.
|
Cesar as a third-century legionary, with the
large scutum with the god painted on it. |
Guard of the Septimani seniores. |
The
rain did not let up, so we had to move indoors for the
remainder of the event. First, the ‘fashion show
through the ages’ was performed within the front
hall of the baths basilica. It was maybe a bit dark, but
that was made up by the very close distance between the
soldiers and the public.
14.15-14.45 Late
Roman drill (II
Herculia & Foederati)
   
The basilica was not suitable for the rest of the program,
so the Herculiani and Foederati moved into the covered
area next to the main building. Dry for the public and
useable for manoeuvres.
      
The rest of the army also gathered, for a good chat, a
game, some naughtiness (Albiniaanus!!!) or a quick nap
before donning armour for the next part of the program,
the battle.
     
Towards
15.00-15.30 The Big Fight (Teuxandrii, I Minerva, Batavi,
& Dun Gwalch)
Due
to the wet conditions (it continued to pour outside), the
fight was also held indoors. Of course, that meant we
could no longer do a single large battle, so we cut that
one up into several duels.
     
The forces gather. Batavi, Legio I Minerva, federate
Teuxandrii and Dun Gwalch. Who’s first? Britons
versus Germans..
     
The champions look each other up and down, then the fight
commences.. until one lies dead. Reinforcements from the
legion – a draw.
     
Saxons fight Franks, a sign of things to come (the Franks
win), then it’s the British again. Suddenly, their
commander lies dead and is hurrried away to safety (hmm..
Avalon?).
Towards
It's over. The last part of our event has been
successfully concluded - time for a group portrait.
15.30-16.00 Gladiators (Archeon, most of us as honour
guards)
      
Once more the army acts as a honour guard for the games.
The rain has receded, but the arena is still very damp.
Watch out! A dangerous puddle!
With the
event over, we began sacking the area. Or was this just a
re-enactment of a Late Roman army doing what it normally
did? Re-creation of a story that never happened, but just
might have in those confused, Late Roman times..
    
Roman Limitanei from Germania Secunda
and Hispania Citerior start pillaging the local's
huts, forcing them out on the pretext of
looking for hidden weapons..
    
The Hispanic troops then go back to patrolling the river.
Then the Gallic Field Army arrrives, with troops from
a British usurper. They cross the river and defeat the
Hispanic troops in a short, sharp battle. The Hispanic
troops are routed.
    
Suddenly soldiers from the Italian Praesental Army
arrive.. The British start defending the opposite bank,
only to be driven
back into the houses of the village, where the Comitatenses
force their way in. The Brits are brutally slaughtered!
Towards
the end of the afternoon everybody settled down. A
reflective visit to the temple, then everybody gathered
at the Inn
for the last meal of the weekend. Teuxandrii, Legio I
Minerva, Batavi, Legio I Germanica, and Herculiani.
     
A visit to the
temple of Nehalennia (oops, no weapons allowed!) before
we all get back to the taberna for a well-deserved
meal.
   
    
Housework for an Empress? The goodbye party – what
an event is has been! Evening falls. The first Late Roman
Event is over.
Hope to see you all again next time!
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