ARMISTICE IN CAMBRIDGE, 7-8 NOVEMBER 2015
The annual Armistice in Cambridge once again saw Legio VI Ferrata join forces with Legio X Fretensis to build a large Roman military camp for our Living History display. We were on part of the kids-trail of activities check-list that saw many youngsters flooding the camp with all sorts of questions. We had many keen knowledgeable Romans on hand to give demonstrations, and let them try on some of the heavy gear. We too were visited by some of the gunpowder-era clubs, interested in the use of edged-weapons.
Besides our camp, we ran Roman training drills on the field for public view each morning, and put on a Gladiatorial Show and Roman military display each day. It was hard work, but good fun, just like the Roman army should be.
Besides our camp, we ran Roman training drills on the field for public view each morning, and put on a Gladiatorial Show and Roman military display each day. It was hard work, but good fun, just like the Roman army should be.
THE ROMAN SHOW DISPLAY
Our joint Roman display with the Tenth included a demonstration of full-contact combat fighting against the Auxiliaries, both individually and as a shield wall. A demonstration of marching maneuvers of the field that included perfect wheels and precise reformations in lines, culminating in a drawn sword charge at the crowd. Then we showed the vallum and testudo formations where we advanced under live enemy arrow fire from the archers until we were close enough to safely kill them. All in all, an inspiring show to ensure many new young recruits sign up for the Roman army as a promising career.
A slideshow of the Roman display...
Our joint Roman display with the Tenth included a demonstration of full-contact combat fighting against the Auxiliaries, both individually and as a shield wall. A demonstration of marching maneuvers of the field that included perfect wheels and precise reformations in lines, culminating in a drawn sword charge at the crowd. Then we showed the vallum and testudo formations where we advanced under live enemy arrow fire from the archers until we were close enough to safely kill them. All in all, an inspiring show to ensure many new young recruits sign up for the Roman army as a promising career.
A slideshow of the Roman display...
THE GLADIATOR DISPLAY
The Armistice Gladiator display opening bout had Decebalus the Dacian fighting as a Hoplomachus against Lucius the Damned fighting as a giant Murmillo. Decabalus circled warily searching for an opening to use his range weapon, the spear, and made some telling blows, before switching to his deadly Dacian falx. But the heavy armoured Murmillo guarded himself too well, before catching the more agile Hoplomachus and by sheer brute strength battered him into submission.
The Intermission saw the executions where two runaway slaves (Idunna and Petronius) were dragged into the arena and tossed some weapons so that they could fight each other for the crowd's entertainment. The bewildered slaves refused to fight, so were ordered to be summarily executed by the victorious Murmillo. However, just as Lucius swung the death blow at Petronius, his sword was blocked by Idunna. The two slaves sprung into action against the Murmillo, and although he should have killed them easily, the slaves showed uncommon skill with weapons, and by teamwork caught the gladiator from opposite sides to wound him. As Lucius slumped, the Dimachaerus (two-sword fighter) Jorkellus ran up Lucius' shield as a ramp to spring upon the two slaves driving them back. It was too late for Lucius, and his comrade dispatched him with a mercy killing.
Two simultaneous battles ensued. The deadly Thraex, Glaucus the Grey, with his wicked curved sica sword fought against Petronius who had snatched up the trident and net of a Retiarius. Jorkellus fought the gladiatrix Idunna, but just as he was about to kill her, the escaped barbarian Drest burst forth from the crowd to her defense, only to meet his death too. The Thraex smashed down the Retiarius, who was only saved from certain death by the intervention of the Rudis referee, whose job of course was to entertain the howling Roman mob by keeping the fight going as long as possible. This proved unfortunate for the enraged Thraex who was eventually snared in the crafty Retiarius' net, and after a violent struggle to the death was stabbed through the heart by the blood-dagger spraying blood into the air. The bloodthirsty audience howled in approval.
The baying crowd did show some mercy, however, by voting to award life to the gladiatrix Idunna who had fought so bravely, but unfortunately Jorkellus was lost in blood-lust (that can often happen in the overwhelming excitement of the Roman arena) and slaughtered her. The crowd howled in anger, and there was no option but to order Jorkellus immediately executed for his foolish defiance. Attempting to escape his fate, Jorkellus ran for his life but was shot down by the Roman archers with several arrows in the back. Petronius too seized his chance to escape, and avoided the arrows, but badly wounded was run down by a Roman legionary that gave chase in full armour. He had no chance. "And so die all who dare to defy the might of Rome!"
A slideshow of the gladiator fights...
The Armistice Gladiator display opening bout had Decebalus the Dacian fighting as a Hoplomachus against Lucius the Damned fighting as a giant Murmillo. Decabalus circled warily searching for an opening to use his range weapon, the spear, and made some telling blows, before switching to his deadly Dacian falx. But the heavy armoured Murmillo guarded himself too well, before catching the more agile Hoplomachus and by sheer brute strength battered him into submission.
The Intermission saw the executions where two runaway slaves (Idunna and Petronius) were dragged into the arena and tossed some weapons so that they could fight each other for the crowd's entertainment. The bewildered slaves refused to fight, so were ordered to be summarily executed by the victorious Murmillo. However, just as Lucius swung the death blow at Petronius, his sword was blocked by Idunna. The two slaves sprung into action against the Murmillo, and although he should have killed them easily, the slaves showed uncommon skill with weapons, and by teamwork caught the gladiator from opposite sides to wound him. As Lucius slumped, the Dimachaerus (two-sword fighter) Jorkellus ran up Lucius' shield as a ramp to spring upon the two slaves driving them back. It was too late for Lucius, and his comrade dispatched him with a mercy killing.
Two simultaneous battles ensued. The deadly Thraex, Glaucus the Grey, with his wicked curved sica sword fought against Petronius who had snatched up the trident and net of a Retiarius. Jorkellus fought the gladiatrix Idunna, but just as he was about to kill her, the escaped barbarian Drest burst forth from the crowd to her defense, only to meet his death too. The Thraex smashed down the Retiarius, who was only saved from certain death by the intervention of the Rudis referee, whose job of course was to entertain the howling Roman mob by keeping the fight going as long as possible. This proved unfortunate for the enraged Thraex who was eventually snared in the crafty Retiarius' net, and after a violent struggle to the death was stabbed through the heart by the blood-dagger spraying blood into the air. The bloodthirsty audience howled in approval.
The baying crowd did show some mercy, however, by voting to award life to the gladiatrix Idunna who had fought so bravely, but unfortunately Jorkellus was lost in blood-lust (that can often happen in the overwhelming excitement of the Roman arena) and slaughtered her. The crowd howled in anger, and there was no option but to order Jorkellus immediately executed for his foolish defiance. Attempting to escape his fate, Jorkellus ran for his life but was shot down by the Roman archers with several arrows in the back. Petronius too seized his chance to escape, and avoided the arrows, but badly wounded was run down by a Roman legionary that gave chase in full armour. He had no chance. "And so die all who dare to defy the might of Rome!"
A slideshow of the gladiator fights...
Video of the gladiator fight between the Thraex, Glaucus the Grey, and the Retiarius, Petronius the Pict of Wales...
THE ROMAN LIVING HISTORY CAMP
Our large camp was entered through a gate that normally had a Roman sentry standing on guard-duty above. The surrounding sudes spikes kept out all intruders, and fascinated some American soldiers who thought them better than barbed wire. Domina Julia Flavia was camp-matron giving demonstrations on the stone wheat-grinding wheel, among other activities to entertain the children. We had displays of Roman and gladiator gear that the children could try on, and some simple sword fighting lessons to get them started.
Our large camp was entered through a gate that normally had a Roman sentry standing on guard-duty above. The surrounding sudes spikes kept out all intruders, and fascinated some American soldiers who thought them better than barbed wire. Domina Julia Flavia was camp-matron giving demonstrations on the stone wheat-grinding wheel, among other activities to entertain the children. We had displays of Roman and gladiator gear that the children could try on, and some simple sword fighting lessons to get them started.
Armistice, Cambridge, Sunday. At 11 am the Romans, along with all the other groups, observed a minute's silence in honour of our brave war dead. We shall remember them. Afterward we had a small private Roman service for our departed captain John Maine. Dis Manibus - Sacred to the spirits.
An artistic black & white series of photographs of the Romans ...
The Romans commandeer the horseless chariot...
Early morning Roman drill formations...
Part of the Imperium-Romana camp was stationed on the lower field to assist Legio III Inferus and 22 AD running the Roman catapults and the giant trebuchet...
