When they did arrive they caused quite a sensation. As we were lead around Colchester we got to see some of the Roman remains that are not normally visible, and we heard about the life of a centurion (retired) and the lives of his subjects.
"What have the Romans ever done for us?" - Monty Python as usual has the answer. There was evidence of most of the civilising things the Romans did in the talks at various points around Colchester. The total walk was around 105 minutes, and well worth the small fee that was required.
We learnt that dormouse was a delicacy and that their skulls could be crushed and used as toothpaste. A centurion was in charge of eighty men and a legion had about 5000 men. Centurions had wives, but lower rank roman soldiers were not allowed, and if married their marriages were annulled.
Colchester was the first capital of Roman Britain, and was always an important city. We learned of Bodecia (or
Boudicca as she is now known) and her sacking of Colchester. There was some discussion about where she may be buried. Kings Cross station seemed to be a favourite. That was all history by the time our centurion arrived in 65AD. As a retired soldier his job was to teach the natives about the roman way of life. The Britain's were living in mud huts before the Romans arrived, so stone buildings must have been quite a revelation. Today's Britain's are of course descended from the Romans and many of the invaders and migrants that followed.
A very good event, most of the walks are just walks so we chose a good one to start with.
On the way back the sat-nav gave me two choices for 'High Street', instead of the one I got in Billericay.
May the fourth be with you!
Monday, May 04, 2009
Happy Jedi Day
OK, got that out of my system. Listen for the groans of the children!
Yesterday, being the first Sunday of the month, it was the day of the church walk. This is the first one in which Jo and I have been able to participate. The instructions were to meet at the Colchester war memorial at 14:15. I set the Sat-Nav and away we went. At some point on the journey Jo woke up and asked "Why are we going this way". I indicated the sat-nav, she shrugged, and went back to sleep. We seemed to go past Colchester. I eventually gave up and followed the road signs. We parked the car and arrived at the war memorial at 14:16. The centurion and his wife had not yet arrived, so we were not late.
When they did arrive they caused quite a sensation. As we were lead around Colchester we got to see some of the Roman remains that are not normally visible, and we heard about the life of a centurion (retired) and the lives of his subjects.
"What have the Romans ever done for us?" - Monty Python as usual has the answer. There was evidence of most of the civilising things the Romans did in the talks at various points around Colchester. The total walk was around 105 minutes, and well worth the small fee that was required.
We learnt that dormouse was a delicacy and that their skulls could be crushed and used as toothpaste. A centurion was in charge of eighty men and a legion had about 5000 men. Centurions had wives, but lower rank roman soldiers were not allowed, and if married their marriages were annulled.
Colchester was the first capital of Roman Britain, and was always an important city. We learned of Bodecia (or
Boudicca as she is now known) and her sacking of Colchester. There was some discussion about where she may be buried. Kings Cross station seemed to be a favourite. That was all history by the time our centurion arrived in 65AD. As a retired soldier his job was to teach the natives about the roman way of life. The Britain's were living in mud huts before the Romans arrived, so stone buildings must have been quite a revelation. Today's Britain's are of course descended from the Romans and many of the invaders and migrants that followed.
A very good event, most of the walks are just walks so we chose a good one to start with.
On the way back the sat-nav gave me two choices for 'High Street', instead of the one I got in Billericay.
May the fourth be with you!
When they did arrive they caused quite a sensation. As we were lead around Colchester we got to see some of the Roman remains that are not normally visible, and we heard about the life of a centurion (retired) and the lives of his subjects.
"What have the Romans ever done for us?" - Monty Python as usual has the answer. There was evidence of most of the civilising things the Romans did in the talks at various points around Colchester. The total walk was around 105 minutes, and well worth the small fee that was required.
We learnt that dormouse was a delicacy and that their skulls could be crushed and used as toothpaste. A centurion was in charge of eighty men and a legion had about 5000 men. Centurions had wives, but lower rank roman soldiers were not allowed, and if married their marriages were annulled.
Colchester was the first capital of Roman Britain, and was always an important city. We learned of Bodecia (or
Boudicca as she is now known) and her sacking of Colchester. There was some discussion about where she may be buried. Kings Cross station seemed to be a favourite. That was all history by the time our centurion arrived in 65AD. As a retired soldier his job was to teach the natives about the roman way of life. The Britain's were living in mud huts before the Romans arrived, so stone buildings must have been quite a revelation. Today's Britain's are of course descended from the Romans and many of the invaders and migrants that followed.
A very good event, most of the walks are just walks so we chose a good one to start with.
On the way back the sat-nav gave me two choices for 'High Street', instead of the one I got in Billericay.
May the fourth be with you!
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