Maj. Cullin Lumpkins is a member of LXF and also a teacher at Round Rock High School. Every year, he arranges a battle reenacment for his Marine Corps Junior ROTC class, and he alternates the time periods every two years. This year it was Romans vs. Celts. The students did some great work, reenactors came from all over Texas, and we all had a total blast!
How the Students Prepared
The students' projects leading up to the event were to make their own shield and sword, with extra credit for additional pieces of "kit" like armor or a helmet. Some students really went all out, even making their own segmentatas!
Starting the Day: Celt and Roman Demos
The Texas Coritani turned out to help us introduce the students to the material culture and customs of both Romans and Celts. The students asked some great questions that the reenactors actually had to confer with each other in order to answer. Everyone learned!
During the Demos: Weapon's Course
The students got the chance to train on a weapons course, using gladii, pila, and even an archer auxiliary's bow.
While the students portraying Celts were at the demo tables, the Romans "trained" on the weapons course, and then the groups switched.
After both groups had a chance to run the weapons course and talk to the reenactors, we all broke for lunch: the feast before the battle!
The Big Battles!
These 50 students had come back to school on a beautiful Saturday afternoon spoiling for a "fight" and they were not to be denied!
Reenactors of both Romans and Celts roamed the field to act as referees and "tap out" warriors who had been slain. Both sides did what they could to prepare for battle ahead of time.
Of course, the Romans had prepared for a battle on the broad field before them, but before they could get there--they were ambushed. It was the Teutoburg Forest all over again!
(6 Meg Quicktime movie)
The Roman commanders were flummoxed and met in council to determine how best to respond.
Fortunately, the rest of the Legion arrived and was able to engage the enemy on an open field. This gave the Romans the "home court advantage" and their massacre of the Celts upheld the mos maiorum with splendid honor.
regain their honor on the open field
(7Meg Quicktime movie)
All in all, the day was a huge success and the legion Tribune and Cavalry Decurion were proud of the glory their troops had achieved in the name of Rome.
