The Longthorpe Legion

13/10/2023

Archaeologists in Italy could hardly believe their eyes when they opened a mysterious ancient chamber tomb in the municipality of Giugliano in Campania, near Naples.

05/10/2023

Some pictures of a Roman dagger (Pugio) found in Switzerland in 2019 by a metal detectorist. Apparently this led to other finds and a possible battle site but, as is so often the case in archaeology, this is disputed! I will need to check that bit out.

21/09/2023

Okay, this is the final post (for now) on the subject of Roman coins. We've talked about bronze coins (common and relatively cheap to buy), gold coins (rare and very expensive) and silver coins (fairly common but a considerable variation in quality and price). In this photo you can see three silver denarii from our collection, believed to be genuine (but we can never be 100% sure) that cost around £25 each.
The coins at the bottom are museum replicas (look out for the WRL stamp) worth about £1.20 each. The modern 50p coin is for size comparison.
Finally, the link is to provide more information on how to spot fake coins. As the article explains, many fakes are very difficult to identify but I guess it is always worth a try!
Please comment if you have found these posts helpful.

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Ancient%20Coins%20and%20Modern%20Fakes

21/09/2023

In this post we are going to talk about Roman Silver coins, the most common of which is the Denarius. This is the coin that would most likely be the highest denomination coin that you would carry around in your purse, although you probably wouldn't use it for everyday purchases at the market; a bit like the £50 note today (the Romans didn't use banknotes). The early versions were almost pure silver, so are quite expensive for collectors, but over time the silver content was reduced so although the face value remained the same the actual purchasing value dropped (and they have become cheaper for collectors too.) Have a look at the attached chart, and follow the link for more information.
In the Next post we will look at some of the Denarii in our collection.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denarius

20/09/2023

We will call this Post of our series on Roman Coins "All that Glitters...".
Now, I don't have a Roman Gold coin to show you mainly because I can't afford to buy one! Gold coins were not used for normal commerce but more likely as gifts or tokens so you wouldn't carry one in your purse or use it to buy stuff (a bit like a Gold Sovereign today). Consequently these are rare and expensive items (see link below). They are also more likely to be forged, because if you can persuade a gullible tourist (for example) that your fake is a genuine coin you can make a lot of money on just the one coin.
In a later post we will give some more hints on how to detect forgeries but for now we can just enjoy these beautiful (but expensive) objects.
Next post; Silver coins.

The aureus (pl. aurei, 'golden', used as a noun) was a gold coin of ancient Rome originally valued at 25 pure silver denarii (sin. denarius). The aureus was regularly issued from the 1st century BC to the beginning of the 4th century AD, when it was replaced by the solidus. The aureus was about the....

19/09/2023

Okay, so today we are going to talk about Fake Roman Coins!
The difference between Reproductions and Fakes is that the latter are intended to deceive. The problem, for us, is that often the forgers are very good at it but also that people have been faking Roman coins since Roman times, so you could have a genuine 2000 year old coin that is actually a fake (if you see what I mean!) One example of this are coins that are called Barbarous Radiates. These are coins that were locally produced to fool people into thinking they were genuine Roman coins. The giveaway is usually that they are made of inferior metal and so can distort or break easily. It is possible that some of the coins found at Dunstable (see main picture) are of this type. Ironically, we still love them because they are genuine archaeological finds!
For more information follow the link below.
Next post; All that glitters is not gold, or silver!
https://finds.org.uk/counties/blog/tag/barbarous-radiates/

18/09/2023

Following our recent post I have been asked to put up a few "helpful tips" for people wanting to acquire Roman Coins. Okay, I'm not an expert, but I have found the following useful.
First, please be aware that there are lots of reproduction coins around - indeed, we sell some in the museum shop! These are for education and should be clearly marked. You've already seen "copy" and the letter "R" stamped on coins - the ones sold in museums are often marked "WRL" like the ones shown here. So, look carefully before you buy!
It is often quite difficult to see on the smaller coins like the silver denarius and I know of at least one person who bought one on ebay only to find it was a museum reproduction worth a lot less than he had paid.
Next post - how to spot a fake!

17/09/2023

Occasionally I have to disappoint visitors (and myself!) I got VERY excited when this coin turned up in its little leather bag, but if you look carefully at the seated figure there is a tiny R stamped on it. So, this one is a Replica. 😠
A picture of a real one is also attached. For info on the coin follow the link below.
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=DIVI%20CAESAR%20MATRI%20S%20C

16/09/2023

We are coming to the end of the Reenactment season now, so there won't be very many outdoor events to visit over the next few months.
What we have discovered this season, though, is that our Archaeology Table has proved very popular - not only have people been fascinated to see some genuine historic objects, but several visitors have brought along their own finds in the hope that we can identify them. If you would like to hear about some of the coins and other objects we've been looking at please comment and we'll post some pictures.
We'll also keep you posted about events for 2024 as soon as we know ourselves. Hoping to see you next season.

24/08/2023

This coming weekend we will be at Castle Rising for Soldiers through the Ages (Part 2) on Sunday 27th & Monday 28th August, together with lots of other Living History groups. Drop in to see us if you can.

21/08/2023

A most interesting film, definitely worth watching. We have examples of a number of these knives, including the multi-tool, in my display at Peterborough museum, and at our events (next one at Castle Rising on the 27th & 28th August)

08/08/2023

While at the museum in Norwich today I took the opportunity to pop into their Roman gallery and take these pictures of their Hockwold Crown.
Only three versions of this exist. The original is in the British Museum, because it is a unique and hugely important historical artifact. The one pictured here is a reproduction, which should be here because it is a local find.
The third is part of our Archaeology exhibition. If you want to see it, come to Castle Rising over the August Bank Holiday.

05/08/2023

31/07/2023

Coming up this week - drop in to see us if you can.

Thinking of something to do this week?

We've got two archaeology open days at our fabulous Milton site with Cambridgeshire Constabulary!

With activities for everyone, join us on Thursday 3rd & Friday 4th August, 9:30am to 3:30pm, where you'll be able to handle artefacts, enjoy historical reenactments by The Longthorpe Legion, and so much more.

31/07/2023

Just a reminder that if you can't get to see our Temple, this one is almost as good!😏

This new cultural hub showcases the ancient temple, a selection of the remarkable Roman artefacts found during the recent excavations, and a series of contemporary art commissions responding to one of the UK’s most significant archaeological sites.

10/07/2023

My Roman snake bracelet left a dirty mark on my arm so I cleaned it. I discovered that it is actually made of copper covered with a thin silver coating.
Ironically, copper is more authentic and looks better so I think the rest of the silver will soon come off.

26/06/2023

Another feature of our weekend visit to Stonham Barns was that our Archaeology table prompted a number of people to bring their own finds to show us!
Our brothers in the 2nd Legion Augusta have just been given this amazing Capricorn, identical to the one on their shields, and one of the members of the Saxon group, next to us on site, brought along these two lovely strap ends that he had recently found.
Don't Forget - next weekend we are at Huntingdon!

26/06/2023

We've now returned from the event at Stonham Barns, where our Replica Mosaic*, of the dedication by Felicissimus in a Temple to Mithras at Ostia, near Rome, proved of great interest to those of our visitors who are studying ancient religions. One, in particular, became so involved in trying to interpret the symbolism that he went home, did some research, and brought his findings back on Sunday for further discussion!
This is a "live issue", as there is currently much academic debate on precisely this subject hence the collective noun - a Disagreement of Archaeologists!
* Another superb creation by Christina Green of Dragonish Design

20/06/2023

Following a recent conversation about the weight of Roman armour, I am delighted to report that two of our visitors, Bruce and Sheran, came in today to do some experimental archaeology. We have established that my Lorica Segmentata weighs 27.34 lbs (that's 12.40 kg for the barbarians) and the Lorica Hamata weighs 23.64 lbs (10.72 kg).

18/06/2023

Apologies, I have borrowed this from another site, because it is of great interest to us.
This is an example of the oldest segmented Roman armour, the lorica segmentata, almost complete, discovered recently in Kalkriese on the site of the famous battle of Teutbourg in the year 9 CE.
Discovered in 2020, it is presented to the public at the Kalkriese Museum in the "Cold Case" exhibition until November 5, 2023.
If you look carefully at the armour, you will see that the fastenings for the 'hoops' of the armour are in fact leather straps (now missing) and buckles, as worn by our soldier Lucius. and not the lacing system commonly used in reproductions of this type of armour. Of course. we are not saying the lacing system was never used, but we would be most interested to hear of any finds of armour using this system that would authenticate it as the evidence here would suggest otherwise.

13/06/2023

We think we are really fortunate to live in a place where finds of this type may be just under our feet: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-65890080?fbclid=IwAR13FI-rNCF5efhpMurdnIkVkORwcX6HXOxmknU81ilRP4b4ejCGK3zuNZM

Excavators say the discovery is incredibly rare and "completely unique".

09/06/2023

Another date for your diary. Time-wise, this will be the next event in our calendar; on the 24th & 25th of June, followed the following weekend by our event at Huntingdon (see earlier post). We are hoping to see you at one of these events.

WHATS ON – ANCIENT HISTORY ALIVE Go back to Whats on at Stonham Barns SHOWGROUND - SBP EVENT FACEBOOK PAGE VIEW LEAFLET ADVANCED TICKETS TRADE STAND FORM ANCIENT HISTORY ALIVESaturday 24th & Sunday 25th June 202310am-4pmTICKET PRICEAdvanced tickets available or on the gateAdult £10.00 per personU...

09/06/2023

08/06/2023

Salvete Amici - here is some advance notice of an event that we will be attending on the weekend of the 1st & 2nd of July. Follow the link and check out "The Romans are Coming" for further information. If you are in the area, please drop in to see us.
https://huntshistoryfest.com/festival-2019/?fbclid=IwAR1Q8vnOJrItTnCOCPYrNmDZfcna8CTXdjHiMFnHSxkE9uwtrbRDmyCwU-Y

We are scheduling and planning events for this festival throughout July 2023. Check in below for a live calendar of events as we start to schedule them in!Or you can browse all of our ticketed even…

04/06/2023

This popped up and made me pause... wooden roads? Who knew?

28/05/2023

The Longthorpe Legion is ready to receive visitors.

16/05/2023

You REALLY want one of these, don't you? Of course, you do.
It only requires you to come to one of our events and undergo the secret initiation ceremony into the mysteries of Mithras, Watch this page for details - the first one coming up is at Castle Rising on the 28th & 29th May (Sunday & Monday. See you there.

A dozen of my finest Mithras pendants, all ready to go to Martinus the Priest and his marvelous travelling Temple of Mithras. 😊

07/05/2023

A solo trip down to Sandy in Bedfordshire to fly the standard at their Coronation Big Lunch this afternoon. Asking for favours from the gods to help have a dry take-down later. Ave Mithras, Sol Invictus!

06/05/2023

This is an interesting article on the flooring of temples to Mithras. We are hoping to have a mosaic floor (authentic) in time for our visit to Eboracum on 8-9 July 2023, but if it isn't ready in time we can always spread ash and burnt bones from our fire pit (also authentic!) We don't often think about the floors, do we?

I have complained about the superfluous stairs at Carrawburgh, and the soil/land creep that buries sites over time. Recently, on Facebook, I was talking to someone about the Walbrook mithraeum, as …

01/05/2023

Look at this excellent project, made by reenactors for reenactors, a spiritual home for all of us who love this period,

01/04/2023

"The Picts are defeated!"

The Roman 'Vettweiss-Froitzheim Dice Tower'. This tirricula is dated to the 4th century CE. The writing says "With the Picts defeated, the ᴇɴᴇмʏ has been ᴅᴇsтʀoʏᴇᴅ, so play in safety". Discovered in Vettweiss, Germany in 1983.

Photo: Rheinisches Landes Museum of Bonn.

17/12/2022

Fratres et Amici, please consider supporting our friends in Ukraine by purchasing one of these calendars, You can contact them directly by Message.
If you are able to celebrate, enjoy Saturnalia and we look forward to seeing you at an event next year,

05/12/2022

Thanks to our talented group artist Nicola Hibbard Jupiter (Iove) Optimus Maximus has taken his righful place as chief in our little pantheon of Roman Gods. Look out for him at our events and make sure you have a suitable offering to hand.
(Pino Grigio seems to go down well!)

24/11/2022

Mithras has been on tour! This impressive Tauroctony can be seen at the museum in Frankfurt, Germany

Mysterium Mithras. Annäherungen an einen römischen Kult
25. November 2022 bis 10. April 2023

Zum Ende einer Reise mit den Stationen Mariemont (Belgien) und Toulouse (Frankreich) kehren die Denkmäler des Mithras-Kultes aus der römischen Stadt Nida (Frankfurt am Main-Heddernheim) zurück nach Frankfurt: Das Archäologische Museum Frankfurt zeigt die in internationaler Kooperation entstandene Ausstellung »MITHRAS. Annäherungen an einen römischen Kult«.

Ein zentraler Bestandteil der Schau sind die herausragenden Funde aus den Mithras-Heiligtümern von NIDA, die bereits im 19. Jahrhundert die Aufmerksamkeit der Altertumsforschung erregten. Gemeinsam mit zahlreichen Objekten aus Mithräen des Limesgebiets an Rhein und Donau bilden sie den Schwerpunkt der Frankfurter Ausstellung.

18/11/2022

May I recommend this excellent online talk that I watched yesterday? The presenter takes a very imaginative approach to the idea of how Romano-British Religious artefacts are displayed in museums and suggests innovative ways of engaging the public.
This reassured me that we are on the right lines with our attempts to provide a Mithras Temple Experience at events,

14/11/2022

As a follow-up to our post about the Birrus Britannicus, it is often associated with this religious image as pictured here.

Relief of the Genii Cucullatti from a shrine in the vicus of Housesteads Fort. 3rd C. These hooded spirits are deities associated with fertility & prosperity. They are found across the Romano-Celtic region. In Britain they often appear in triple form.

10/11/2022

My reenactor friends are aware that I can find a connection to Ancient Rome in the most unlikely places. 😏
This article about a misspelled sign in Swindon has reminded me that many Ancient inscriptions suffered from the same problem. Latin was often not the first language, and many of those who ordered inscriptions didn't speak it accurately, resulting in something like this.
That's why they are often so difficult to translate!

10/11/2022

This is an impressive reconstruction and definitely worth a look. Obviously, we can't reproduce a temple on this scale, so our little tent will have to suffice!
We have some ideas of our own about what might have gone on during a ceremony of worship, so if you are able to come along to one of our events next year we will be happy to demonstrate the ceremony for you.

At the Museumpark Orientalis in the Netherlands, there is a fantastic reconstruction of a Mithraeum which I had the pleasure of visiting. I love this reconst...

01/11/2022

Today at the museum I am modelling the Birrus Britannicus, the locally manufactured woollen cloak.
The hood is designed to be large so it can be worn over the helmet. As you can see, when you are on patrol or standing on guard, in this cloak you are virtually invisible as there is no reflection from the armour. The cloak is windproof and also showerproof, thanks to the lanolin in the wool.
The other cloak is a different design and is for my role as a priest of Mithras so it has a more ceremonial function and would not be worn on a campaign.

19/10/2022

It is a while since I posted anything so I thought I would send you a few "notes from the frontier".
The campaign season is over for the winter so we can set about training our latest recruits (still more needed). Here I am explaining that the helmet must fit snugly, otherwise, the first time a barbarian hits you on the head your skull will ring like a bell!
I have also given orders that winter tunics and boots may now be worn (illustrated here). I had to delay the decision about the boots, which led to some grumbling in the ranks, because mine had not arrived.
We are also awaiting delivery of the Birrus, the locally sourced winter cloaks, one of the few decent thing to come out of Brittania. I will post pictures when they arrive.
In the meantime, stay safe, and watch out for Caledonians!