Historical Re-Creation

Stuff to see in...Historical Re-Creation:

Hey, I call it 're-creation' for a reason. For me, Roman-era historical reenactment is more than just trotting around in authentic gear and delivering the occasional lecture; it is a combination of live roleplay and what I have come to call 'mainlining the ancestor-spirits'. Above all, it's FUN...and a lotta hard work...and considerable expense...oh, yeah, and it's FUN!

A 'public-service announcement', which was the first thing I ever posted to an Internet newsgroup: Roman Legionaries Spotted in San Francisco Bay Area!!
My Renaissance-Faire 'resume', also accessible on SCRIBEnet
The Twentieth Legion's list of Latin drill commands
A different Latin drill used by Legio IX Hispana of Southern California
Some random thoughts I had on the spirit of reenacting
A bibliography of the Roman Army, sent me by Quintus Darius Macro of Maryland's Twentieth Legion, hosts of the annual Roman Days event
Maybe you're a visual learner, or maybe you're just trying to costume up a church pageant: Here are your richly-illustrated Roman military-equipment references.
Quintus Darius' (Twentieth Legion's) list of equipment suppliers, mainly along the East Coast
Where I got my own kit, mostly all over California
Frequently Asked Question: "Hey Marius: Think ya might have been a Roman in a previous life?"
On Being Roman, and how your friends might end up doing it with you
Worldwide listing of Roman Living-History Groups; sadly out of date, but still a good springboard for further exploration.

I am often asked how a person might go about joining my Legion. I appreciate the interest, especially from anyone close enough to actually make such a thing possible. However - - I have no Legion! As a reenactor, I've done almost everything solo. There haven't been any Legions in the places I've lived, or I've found out about them too late to get in on the fun (id est, just before moving out of the area). My desire to spare someone else the same frustrations was the impetus for my Legion listing. I even made the first steps towards forming a Legion several years ago, but my armor supplier flaked out on me and left my church friends (who were helping me finance the helmets) holding the bag.

On my gigs, I portray a Legionary named Lucius Marius Fimbria of Legio VI Victrix. For a long time I was signing my e-mail that way. This has probably fed the impression that I am actually part of a group. I am not. My 'persona' has to be from somewhere, and be serving with someone; and I have a strong affinity for the VI Victrix. She served in my homeland of Spain, built the eastern third of Hadrian's Wall, and was probably the last Legion to be pulled out of Britain; what's not to love? But as for belonging to a modern-day Victrix, there are none within my reach; and I no longer have the strength (of several kinds) to found one of my own.

If you're curious about what I have been up to, the following describes how much can be done by even one good Legionary.

Legion Links:

Roman Legions - the best online intro to the subject; besides the basics, covers scholarly debate (with input from reenactors), and has animations(!) and illustrations galore
Legio II Augusta: Late 1st Century. Does school visits; female members demonstrate aspects of civilian life. Posters/postcards available, and a newsletter is in the works.
Quinta: 3rd-Century Auxiliaries. Old Web site also had info on several related groups (search under "Arbeia Roman Fort"), and a section on Living History in general, including philosophy and how to run a society. Hopefully some of this will make it onto the new site. Also available: a yearly journal; two newsletters; information sheets; postcards; and a Roman calendar(!).
LEGIO VIII AUGUSTA Homepage: Recreates the story of Roman Baden-Wuerttemberg (SW Germany). The Legion demonstrates land surveying and construction; civilian members show different aspects of the Roman way of life: writer`s office, Roman religious ceremonies, medicine, costume, cooking. The group performs at schools, Roman festivals, museum events, and other programs in different Roman locales.
Legio IX Hispana, southern California (US): This SCA spinoff holds monthly "musters" in So. California; does demos, combat, weapons training, marches...you name it.
THE LEGIO X GEMINA HOMEPAGE, home of the Gemina Project. Late 1st century. Has newsletter and an excellent Web site, with group description, photos, and schedule of events (lots of links to other Roman groups and resources, too!).
Legio XIII Gemina (watch the pop-ups, though...)
Legio XIIII Gemina Martia Victrix and Roman Military Research Society: Also home to Cohors I Batavorum. Quote: "For the Empire still stands while we remember it, and our comrades still fight beside us as long as we speak their names..."
LEGIO XV homepage (Norway)
Twentieth Legion, Maryland (US): Portrays military and civilian life of the Claudian era. Publishes a wonderful newsmonthly, _Adlocutio_. The Commander, Quintus Darius Macro, has been extremely helpful to would-be reenactors across the land; you will find some of his contributions on my site. Women, youngsters, and Associate members welcome!
Britannia! (UK) -- Researches/re-enacts late Roman and Arthurian Britain, including Romans, Picts and Saxons. Combats, displays, living history and reconstructions help people to understand "the birth of modern Britain in the dying embers of Roman rule". Some film credits.

Other Living-History Societies:

Omnia: The Roman equivalent of a RenFaire troupe--too much fun! Company includes players, gladiators, jugglers, musicians, fortune-tellers, magicians; also priestly types who demonstrate religious rites/ceremonies.
ARCHEON is a living-history park in the Netherlands which includes a Roman section, with a mansion, some reenactors, and a fully-functioning bath-house open to the public.
Nova Roma: the Roman Republic Reborn? -- I'll let you decide for yourself.
Romans of Dagorhir, a padded-weapons battlegame. Not a reenactment society per se, but the group's structure and society are as thoroughly-Roman as they can make it (see the document "Mos Maiorum" on their Web site for an in-depth description!). Might make a nice change-of-pace for a reenactor looking to spend more time in-character.
The SCA in Texas (The Stellar Kingdom of Ansteorra)...
...and in Dallas/Fort Worth: Barony of the Steppes

Renaissance Faires:

Scarborough Faire Renaissance Festival -- Lucius' home Faire, running in Waxahachie, TX for almost 25 years
Southern California's Renaissance Pleasure Faire, one of the largest and longest-running in the US. I got my start here; I was six years old, and my day-care teacher dressed me up as a Dragon. [smiles]
The Renaissance Faire Junkie: This lady travels to as many Faires as she can every season, collecting friends and stories which she shares here. Maybe someday Lucius will make her Rogues' Gallery... >({|:-)
SCRIBEnet, the Ultimate RenFaire Resource. Find Faires, Merchants, and even any Faire Folk in your area.