A question I was recently asked concerned the re-use of kit in the Roman army. What happened to the kit when a soldier either left (e.g. retirement) or died? Well when I visited the Legion exhibition I came across this helmet which gives a good example. You’d expect the Roman army to be efficient and […]
Roman helmet with a few careful owners. Read More »
Back in 2023 the British Museum announced they would have an exhibition titled ‘Legion’ which would feature a range of pieces allowing the visitor a chance to gain a glimpse at what the Roman military machine was like. It didn’t fail to deliver and wasn’t just restricted to the obvious martial elements. There were a
Legion exhibition at the British Museum. Read More »
A testudo and testing times for Caesar. In 57 BC Julius Caesar had a problem. Stationed in northern Gaul he became aware of the activities of the Belgae, a confederation of tribes who occupied what is largely north eastern France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Suspicions were further confirmed when one of the Belgae tribes, the
Testudo, Caesar and a quandry. Read More »
Owning armour means you are always trying to maintain it and it’s an ongoing fight with rust. Lorica segmentata was one type of armour which the armies of ancient Rome wore – we have some surviving pieces of it from the Corbridge hoard. This was an incredible find and I will have to visit the
Cleaning the lorica segmentata. Read More »
Roman Scotland – a fantastic guest. To discuss Roman Scotland I was joined by the fantastic Dr Andrew Tibbs. You can find him on twitter @RomanScotland. He also teaches at Durham University Dr Tibbs has written a few books which you might be interested in. The one I bought is ‘Beyond the Empire’ which is
Roman Scotland: Episode Notes. Read More »
Cannae and extra bits. I hope you enjoyed the episode on Cannae and the elements leading up to it even if it the subject was gruesome in places. You will also have heard Luke aka The Bald Historian whose promo I played. You can find him on twitter @bald_historian and you can find his website
The Second Punic War. Cannae (episode notes & transcription). Read More »
Trasimene – extra bits. The battle at Trasimene ensured Hannibal’s first vicory wasn’t a fluke and it involved some brilliant strategic moves. Here’s a bit more to help you picture it. Maps. Hannibal started out near modern day Bologna (red pin), crossing the Apennines he arrived near Pistoia (yellow pin). Next was the march through
The Battle of Lake Trasimene – episode notes and transcription. Read More »
Roman armour and a 5km walk. In recent years I have walked 5km for charity at Brighton’s Rise Superhero Run. I use the verb ‘walk’ because I have undertaken this in my Roman armour. The only exception, as was pointed out to me, was the lack of caligae. Trust me, having marched decades ago in
Marching in Roman armour. Read More »
Around this time of year in 218 BCE Hannibal fought Rome in his first major battle with them. In a vlog from a few years ago I use cutting edge visual effects* to recreate what went on and discuss the tactics employed by both sides. I also wear a nifty Christmas jumper. *deliberately made to
Battle of the Trebia – a shortish Vlog Read More »
August 2nd 216 BC is traditionally the date for the Battle of Cannae. What better way to understand it better than via my vlog on it from a few years back with a lavish budget spent on a toy elephant? Well, apart from the reasons you have just thought of. Hope you enjoy!
My vlog on the Battle of Cannae Read More »
