Fectio
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Fort Vechten
Sunday 16 May 2004 |
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A
180-degree panoramic spread facing west during the grand
opening.
 Finally, after
laying the foundations more than 6 months ago (last
November), the watchtower or burgus
is now finished. The people of Fort Vechten did a good
job, and the very enthousiastic reactions of the visitors
prove it. The spot in which the tower is built is also
very accessible - you can see it from the train as well
as from the motorway, while the Marsdijk (which runs
along the southern edge of the fort) is a very well-known
cycle route. This sunday, the tower was officially
opened. Speech! There were officials from the county
(Provincie Utrecht), the parish (Gemeente Bunnik) and the
Forestry Commission (Staatsbosbeheer), and of course the
Society which runs the fort.
The tower is now ready, and the public is invited
to come and take a look. |
The Romans have taken possession of their burgus!
The soldiers and civilians have erected a camp. |
Ready. |
The priest takes a look. |
Sturdy stairs. |
The
Dutch Roman groups Corbvlo and Gemina
were the main attraction, but we were there as well with
Andreas/Chariovalda, showing off his new lorica
hamata/mail armour. The Romans had set up camp in
the grounds next to the burgus showing their
weapons, but also all kinds of civilian activities. There
were meals being cooked, clothes made or mended, priests
and children going about.
The civilian population, mimicking the settlement
which used to grow around the Roman forts. |
The vicus with soldiers, civilians and a
priest of the eastern god Mithras. |
Gerard/Tiberius. |
Fectio scutum with plumbatae. |
Roman Army talk-comparing notes on equipment. |
Noel and Andreas talking music. |
Jos is being treated to a good drink by Ine. |
Finally! Marrit & Jeroen on the tower. |
Finally! Chariovalda has his new hamata. |
The centurio of Gemina. |
The
public seemed to like it a lot. There was not a big
crowd, but the people kept coming all day. Which was a
good thing as well, because everyone wanted to get into
the tower and look from above at all there was to see
below. Towers do that, especially when you have a Roman
camp spread out below them.
Martin and his lorica plumata. |
Alan the archer on the stairs. |
Roman education? |
The ballista. |
The drill. All soldiers form up for an attack in
a wedge-shaped formation/cuneus. |
The
Roman army was also present, and that was what the crowds
wanted to see! So Gemina and Corbvlo
did a military drill together, with some marching in
formation, and of course the ubiquitous charge at the
public!
Gladios Stringite! |
The Romans are taking possession of their burgus! |
Charge! |
Sin, sin, sin-dex-sin... |
Front right! |
Spotted! |
Welcome home! |
At ease. |
All
in all, a very good way to start the life of this burgus.
May it be a long one.
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