Cohors V Gallorum

Legio VI Victrix

Legio VIII Augusta

Legio XIIII GMV

Well, I can't always just be sitting in front of my pc, typing about Rome. So instead, here's a more lighthearted look at the Roman world, as I decided to visit a historical display at Carlisle Castle.
The old city of Carlisle (Roman name Luguvallium) was once the setting for a large Roman cavalry base called Uxellodunum at the western end of Hadrian's Wall in the north of England.
As for me, I was merely armed with a cheap and cheerful recyclable one-time-use camera.

Here some of them are in Carlisle Castle's old inner courtyard (note the old Norman walls behind). On the left: note the signifer carrying the signum standard. On the right: at the back you see the optio, carrying the staff with which he could keep regular soldiers in line.

Quite a show ! Here they recreate an army ceremony in honour of the god Jupiter.

On the right you see a Centurion noisily barking some of his troops into line. On the left: Off they march !

Here's an example of the heavy leather tents in which the old legionaries would sleep in their fortified camps.

There wasn't only first and second century armour to be seen. On the left, next to a Syrian archer, we see a third century cavalryman carrying a vexillum. On the right: a third century centurion. Note the centurion's rod in his hands.

Trust them, to bring a catapult with 'em ! Then again the 15th century reenactors who'd also come for the historic displays arrived with a cannon, so I guess they were still outgunned. :-)

On the left: Wow ! Who'd want to mess with him ? A centurion. On the right: A Roman legionary posing for a photo with yours truly - the Webmaster. :-)

All in all, this was a really nice day out. My thanks to the Cohors V Gallorum, Legio VI Victrix, Legio VIII Augusta and Legio XIIII Gemina Martia Victrix Reenactors. For links to their sites, check out the top of this page.

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