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Bunnik/Odijk - 1950
years Roman Limes
Saturday 31
May 1997 |
 This is where my
Re-enactment fever really took off. All these pictures
were shot on the saturday of the enormous Roman Meeting
at Odijk, near Utrecht. This was organised to comemmorate
the 1950st year since the Romans chose the Rhine for
their border. We heard of it just that day, and indeed,
the merchants complained bitterly about the bad
advertising by the organisation. Nevertheless, we rushed
over and were rewarded with the largest meeting of Roman
re-enactors I've yet seen.
Guests were the Legio II Augusta (UK), Legio VI Victrix
(Germany and UK), Legio VIII Augusta (Germany and UK),
Legio X Gemina (Netherlands and Czech Republic), Legio XI
Claudia Pia Fidelis (Switzerland), Legio XIIII Gemina
Martia Victrix (UK), Legio XV Apollinaris (Austria),
Cohors I Batavorum (UK), Cohors I Germanorum (Germany),
Cohors IIII Vindelicorum (Germany), Cohors V Asturum (UK)
and the Cohors VI Asturum (Germany).
The weather was very good; warm and sunny throughout the
day, matbe just a little too hot for the performers on
the field.
One of us (Harry) wondering about the
difference in length.. |
In the camp - the famous shield of
Mithras. |
Not just Romans, these are early Germans. |
Meeting of periods - an Imperial Gallic
helmet vs. a much later 'Burgh Castle'
ridge helmet. |
The units form up, neat row after neat
row.. |
Discussing strategy, the O-group, Roman
style. |
Orders are issues to the ranks.. |
..and the Legions move out. |
On the big field, the units form again
into rows. |
The local press uses the pause to
interview the commanders. |
Signifers take the lead for the parade. |
The ballista guards the positions. |
Syrian archer of X Gemina. |
A feast for the eye! (Lyndsey from II
Augusta) |
Auxiliaries form the Cohors V
Asturum/Colchester) seen from the
armoured back. |
Final parade of the Legionaries.. |
..across a very hot field. It must be
scorchy beneath such a face-mask! |
Nice helmet. |
The army forms up for the big attack..
The entire line-up was awesome: I counted
86 Romans in this picture!
Click here for the big
picture (200k), or here for a smaller
one (57k). |
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Wait for it... |
Gaining speed... |
Pressing home! |
"Well, sir, was that a nice enough scaring
of the locals?" |
After showing off, it's show time for the
hardware, with lessons in armour flashing across
the field. |
The Duces report back to the Emperor about the
attack. |
Guardian of the Empire. |
Having secured the border.. |
.. the victorious units... |
.. one after the other... |
.. are off to lunch! |
True to ancient tradition .. |
.. the cavalry is non-Roman. 'Heads up'
for the Celt! |
Camp scenes. |
The German camp. |
It's afternoon, and the army's on the
march again. |
More marching on the trainingfield. |
Now, it's much warmer, and.. |
.. the heat really affects the soldiers
.. |
.. as can be clearly seen here. |
The auxiliaries are the last to arrive. |
Final manouvres. No mistake, gentlemen;
you suffered, but we loved it. |
"Optio, are we ready yet?" |
Led by our by now familiar signifers.. |
.. the troops hastily retreat back to
camp and a cool-off. |
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Yrs truly with a Late Roman helmet. |
Unseen by most Romans, there was a stealthy
German invasion. |
Captured Romans pulling ox-carts?? This was a
local protest, about missed contracts. |
And the would-be Germans leave, leaving their
modern counterparts behind. |
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