Downtown Mobile to Host Roman Legions

Jan 30th, 2007

Roman legion re-enactors from throughout the southeast are heading to Mobile, Alabama for the first Roman legion campsite to be presented in the Gulf Coast region. The two-day event, held February 3 and 4, coincides with the Gulf Coast Exploreum hosting A Day in Pompeii, the international exhibition on the ancient Roman city.

Participants, wearing historically correct uniforms, armor and weapons, will bring alive a typical Roman legion field camp immediately adjacent to the Gulf Coast Exploreum.

Rusty Myers, aka Justus Longinus of the Legio VI Ferrata Fidelas Constans, based out of Summerville, SC, announced the schedule of activities visitors to the site will experience. These include marching drills and parades, gladiator fights, needlefelt combat, archery, catapult, and other weapons demonstrations.

Visitors will be able to mingle with the soldiers and walk through the camp site, which includes leather tents used by soldiers 2000 years ago. A camp smitty, honing swords and other weapons, and a camp kitchen will also be on site.

Access to the campsite is free to anyone presenting an admission ticket or ticket stub to the Exploreum’s A Day in Pompeii exhibition and to Exploreum Members. Otherwise, admission to tour the camp site, interact with the roman legionnaires and view the demonstration is $3 for adults (18+) and $2 for children ages 2 to 17. Children under 2 are free. Tickets will be on sale at the Exploreum Box Office or at the Royal street entrance to the campsite. No advance ticket sales.

The Castra Romana camp, located on Royal Street directly across from the Gulf Coast Exploreum (the old courthouse site), will be open to the public Saturday, February 3rd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, February 4th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Below is a schedule of the weekend’s events:

Friday, February 2, 2007


6:30 p.m. Legions march in the Conde Cavaliers Mardi Gras Parade


Saturday, February 3, 2007


9:00 a.m. Event opens
9:30 a.m. Formation and ration issues
10:00 a.m. Marching drill and formation demonstrations
11:00 a.m. Gladiator fights and demonstrations
12:30 p.m. Weapons demonstrations (scorpio, pila, bowmen, catapults)
1:30 p.m. Needlefelt combat
2:30-3 p.m. Mardi Gras Parade passes by camp site.
3:00 p.m. Formation and pay ceremony
4:00 p.m. Gladiator fights
5:00 p.m. Campsite closes to public


Sunday, February 4, 2007


9:00 a.m. Event opens, marching drills
10:00 a.m. Needlefelt combat
11:00 a.m. Gladiator demonstrations
1:00 p.m. Final drill and closing ceremony
2:00 p.m. Event closes, camp take down.