Roman Mysteries - Gladiators & Romans @ Archeon

A Day at Archeon Theme Park
The Netherlands (2002)

Archeon is an Historical Theme Park near Leiden in the Netherlands. Once or twice a year they have special Roman events. In 2002, from 10 - 18 August, paid staff at Archeon teamed up with Dutch, British, New Zealand and American volunteers, most of whom are members of the Second Augusta, one of Britain's best group of re-enactors. I went along for three days to promote the Roman Mysteries and get ideas for future books.Everyone else was dressed in period costume, so I went as a Judean poetess. (below)

Here I am with some modest women.
They are demurely sewing (as good Roman matrons should.)
Let me introduce some of the other fascinating people who were there...

Salve! I am a runaway slave.
You can see they have branded my forehead.
Now I must roam the streets, offering water to anyone who looks thirsty.
Still I may as well be cheerful; at least I'm alive!

My name is Publius Flavoleus Cordus.
I am a slinger and horn player for the Leg II Aug.
You can see I wear a Lupus on my head.
(That's a wolf skin to you.)

I'm Tiberius, a slave-dealer.
It's an ugly job, but someone's got to do it.
And I'm SO glad it could be me!

Ave! I am Gaius Montanus Civilis, sacerdos(priest) of the local goddess: Nehalennia,
I am also duumvir(mayor) of this town, Trajectum.
I must examine the offerings to make sure they are acceptable.
We want to ensure good weather for the Emperor's visit.
Hmmm. What's this small white disc? It smells of peppermint...

I am the Emperor Vespasian.
I have travelled a very long way to come to this mosquito-ridden backwater.
What a flat, wet country! But at least the weather's fine.
Would you like to come to my imperial box and watch the games this afternoon?
My slave boy here will bring you chilled wine and peel you some grapes...

'Grrrrr. They call me the Beast!
That's because I fight like a beast in the arena.
I don't care if I live or die since the Romans slaughtered my family here in Gaul.'

'Salve. My name is Sanguinus, which means 'Bloody'. I DO care if I live or die.
I fight the Beast this afternoon and I intend to survive. I have many fans to please!'

.
'Ave. I am Medicus, the gladiator's surgeon.
Being the surgeon at the gladiatorial games is one of the best ways to learn about human anatomy.
While I'm stitching a man up I can have a good look at his innards...'

'Salve! It's me: Rotundus.
Very glad it's not me that's fighting today.
All I want is the quiet life, working here in my leather-goods shop...'

'What? The Emperor's invited you to his Imperial Box?
I'd watch that one, my dear. He and his son Titus like Jewish women!
There's that Berenice I think her name is...
Still, you'll enjoy the games...'

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