Name: Marivs Minivs Donatvs

Rank: Optio Cenaturiae, Legio VI FFC

On February second though the fourth an event was held in Mobile, Alabama so named Castra Romana.  This event was put together by our Centurio in coordination with the Emporium Museum of Mobile to help kick off their new Roman Pompeii exhibit.  This would be my first event as an Optio.

On January 30 I left my apartment at around 1830 hrs so that I would not get in traffic.  I was headed to our Centurion’s house to help finish loading the vehicles to head to Mobile.  We did not do much this night, just sit around and check up on things. 

On January 31 I was given the chance to awake when I choose, which was earlier than I had expect, around 0830 hrs.  We did not have much to load, just my gear, small stuff we had forgotten, and our personal gear.  We finished loading around 1400 hrs. 

At around 1830 hrs our final two members arrived, our signifier and his girlfriend that portrays a civilian with a B E A utiful dress!  This was kind of a shock to me and the centurion because our signifier doesn’t have the best track record for arriving when he says he will.

We set out on our journey around 1915 hrs, but not before attending to a tradition of Legio VI FFC first.  We stopped at a local Chinese restaurant and had dinner.  It was not bad food!  Unfortunately it was about 2100 hrs before we set out on the road. 

Our signifier drove the suburban with the u haul trailer and had our centurion and our civilian as passengers.  I was driving the van that had our most of our camp gear and our centurions daughter as a passenger.  After a long trip and stopping several times for gas, rest room breaks, and coffee we finally arrived at our destination at 0230 hrs on February first.  Our destination was a friend’s house that was going with us on other side of Atlanta, Ga.

On February 1 we all just kind of rolled out of bed.  Surprisingly I was the first to rise!  We were greeted with a good hearty breakfast of breakfast casserole, cinnamon rolls, and coffee.  After a while of groaning and several cups of coffee we set out to finish or journey to Mobile around 1030 hrs.  This time me and the centurion rode together to study up on commands sense it was my first time commanding and the rest of the crowd including the Optio from Legio XI CPF and his daughter in the suburban.  Before we got on the interstate we stoped to get gas and to pick up one more couple.  The centurion from Legio XI CPF and his wife. 

After a couple of stops for gas, some ropes coming undone, and something small to eat we finally arrived in Mobile, Alabama at around 1630 hrs central time.  We checked in with the museum and started to set up camp.  We were able to put the feast hall/generals tent up, the centurion’s tent, Legio XI CPF tent, and six other tents up before it was too dark and cold.

For dinner some of went out and checked out the local restaurants/grills.  We ended up going to one of the local brewery placed that looked clean and had a nice selection of food.  After that we headed back to camp and spilt into the groups going to the hotel to sleep and going to our tents.  On the way back my brother had arrived with a new recruit.  The two of them, me and the centurion slept in the centurion’s tent while our signifier, civilian, the daughter of our centurion, the Optio of Legio XI CPF and his daughter slept in the hotel.  It was very cold that night, but luckily our centurion thought ahead and brought a kerosene heater for the tent. 

On February 2 we arose with the sun, slowly!  We didn’t have to wear period gear so that was something of good news.  We still had to set up the arena, the Soul of the Warrior table, and help with anyone that came in that day.  We all worked hard but not real fast, after all the event did not start until Saturday.  Although we did have a few people come in on Friday to look around but not a whole lot.  Soon after we all had a meeting telling everybody thanks for coming, please sign the waivers so if you get hurt you can’t sue the museum, and a general briefing about the weekend.  The museum also surprised us by telling us that they had provided breakfast and lunch for us.  I dressed up in my Germanic gear and spent the day getting to know the people coming in and helping with the little things around camp.

The arena went up pretty quickly, I think we knocked it out in about an hour and a half.  Soon after that more and more people started to arrive.  Dan Peterson and his gear arrived some time in the afternoon closely followed by Legio V and there leather tent that they made themselves, Very Impressive!!

That night was the Mardi Gras parade.  I think most if not all of us were looking forward to the parade, I know I sure was.  I got out of my barbarian gear and quickly got into my Optio kit.  We all lined up in camp and made sure everyone was dressed warmly and then marched out to the starting point.  There were about fourteen soldiers, a musician, the signifier, two optios, two gladiators, one civilian, a senator (with toga problems), a barbarian, and the centurion.  Overall, a pretty good group!  We marched in full kits minus pila.

When we got to the starting point it was already dark, but not a whole lot of people were there.  We found out that we were fifth in line right behind the horses.  After a while of standing around beads, footballs, Frisbees, and cups were starting to be thrown everywhere.  Our signifier, being a snappy dresser, started picking up the beads and putting them on the signet.  I could tell that this upset a couple of the legionaries, and me as well, but I thought that this is a Mardi Gras parade, we were asked to march in it and we should show some Mardi Gras spirit.  After about an hour of standing around the parade started and we marched in a three mile long (yeah right, HAH!!) parade.  While we marched we had many people call out Hail Caesar, Roma Victa, Hail Hitler if you can be leave it, and one kid even called up a bunch of pirates.  The parade got really, really, really, really, really, really, really, long!  It was the longest parade I think I have ever been in and I have been the Macy’s day Christmas parade, and marched on the Indy 500 track.  The parade had to be at least five miles long.  Finally, it was over and we headed back to the starting point with only a few minor problems.  I was stabbed in the back of the leg by one of the gladiators, one of the pins holding the cheek piece to the bowl of my helmet came out, and two of the soldiers were in a lot of pain.  In fact we all were complaining about our feet!!

That night we had a different hotel room then the night before, but that didn’t matter to me because I was going to sleep in the tent again.  Near the hotel were a lot of restaurants, and that night we went to one of them.  It was a lot like an Applebee’s but with a salad bar.  Most of us got a steak, and boy was it good!  The new recruit that my brother brought got a burnet steak, which he asked for, and finished it quick, fast, and in a hurry.  After we all finished we headed back to camp, but on the way back the new recruit says, “Hey guys I don't mean to be a kill joy but I got to throw up."  Our signifier quickly stoped the suburban.  The kid literally dove out the car while throwing up.  We all were shocked because we thought he hit is head on the pavement.  Turns out he was ok, just was tired and ate too fast.  

That night none of us had any trouble sleeping!

On February 3 the event officially kicks off.  We woke up with the sun and quickly got our gear together and had breakfast.  Some ate around the campfire and some went into the museum to eat what they had for us.

We start out by having small demonstrations of drill and attack formations.  This was not to bad except for the fact that our centurion was giving commands that we did not understand.  Before the event started we were all given a set of commands to memorize so that we would all be on the same page.  Well, he must not have gotten that email or just didn’t really care.  We did alright but we were all kind of confused.  After a couple minutes of that we were dismissed and the morning gladiator fights started.  I was a little upset with this because I was not given anytime to change into my gladiator gear.  So, instead of fighting as a gladiator I was a body guard for the editor.

The gladiator fights went over pretty well.  We had four bouts, two Essidarri, a Myrmillo and Thrax, Myrmillo and Hoplamocus, Noxii, and Secutor and Retiarius. 

After that we were free to get some lunch and answer any question that the crowd may have about us or our gear.  I went to lunch, the museum had some potato soup, and chili for us.  It was very good, nice warm meal!  During lunch, I later found out that our Aquila was stolen.  (I know, a disgrace beyond all comprehension!)  Well, it was recovered and later we found out that our own tessiarius had taken it and hide it with the barbarians.  He took it while our own tribune was next to him.  The time I got back from lunch the Aquila was recovered and all was well. 

After that we all just kind of walked around, looked at what the vendors had, talked with the visitors and just had fun.  After a while we all got bored and we had our pay formation.  The formation went off with out a hitch, no one was angry with the amount they got paid, and no one fainted.  After that centurion Dan Peterson gave a salute to Legio VI FFC for putting on the event and then drilled them for a while.  We did have the same problems with the commands and the crowd did have a chuckled or two. 

After that was the afternoon gladiator fights and I got to fight.  The fights in the afternoon were as in the morning but the guys that portrayed the Secutor and Retiarius were different.  I was the Secutor and my brother was the Retiarius.  We do not choreograph any of our fights so it is all about technique, the will to live, and shear size.  Sadly,  I am the bigger one so the majority of the fight I win.  This fight I won.  Right out of the gate I got him right in the neck.  Which is a kill shot but he decided, as well as the lanista, to stay up, which is ok.  He did get one hit on me before the final blow was given though.  The crowd wanted him dead but he is my brother, and a friend can not kill a friend. 

Shortly their after the camp was closed to all visitors, which was kind of a good thing because all of us were beat.  Most of changed into our civilian clothes and headed to the museum to view the Pompeii exhibit, but some of us did stay in period clothes.  Me, I put on my Germanic shirt, a pair of pants that I wear to work, and my tennis shoes.  The exhibit was awesome, they had intact pottery pieces, religious statues, huge mosaics, beds, and even body casts of the victims.  Me, I enjoyed all of it but to me if you see one piece of pottery for the most part see them all.  The thing I was really looking forward to see was the body casts of the victims.  Their was one that really touched me and it was what looked like a man.  He was holding a piece of cloth around his mouth to help him breath.  You could see the wrinkles in the cloth, each individual finger, and his eye sockets. 

After that we had our Roman feast.  The lady that the museum found to cook did a wonderful job!  She had found ancient recipes and followed them to the letter!  There was bread with three different kinds of dippings, pork or chicken (not sure) with peach sauce, pork or chicken (not sure) with a green sauce not really sure what it was but it was good too, and a radish salad.  For desert there was a cake (not historical) and I forget what it was called but it had eggs and pears in it.  To drink we had wine mixed with honey, and water.  After the meal the museum told us thanks for all the hard work and how amazed that we were not just guys dressed up in armor that we were each a teacher.  They saw each of us giving lectures about the Empire.  Then our centurion got up and said thanks for all the hard work and gave a toast to our members that were overseas fighting for democracy. 

That night me, our centurion, my brother, and the new recruit went to sleep in the hotel room.  Oh boy, was it comfortable!!  Nice thick mattress, with a one inch foam pad on top.  Slept like a baby! :)

On February 4 we had the RAT breakfast.  It was going to be in the hotel but I think we got a better deal at a local restaurant so we went there instead.  It was called “ Spot of Tea”.  It was not bad.  From what we were told it was the biggest gathering of RAT members as well.  I believe the count was above twenty. 

After a good breakfast we headed back to camp and got ready for the visitors.  I got in my armor and started out to the drilling area when one of the museum reps asked me if we were going to do more gladiator fights today.  I was not sure so I asked the gentleman that did the lanista and he said we can, and then shortly their after he said yes.  I was a little upset because I was beat and soon to bleed.  I got the soldiers in formation but the formation was really sloppy because half our guys had to leave the night before.  When I got them into formation our centurion came up to me and told me to drill them.  I was over come with joy that I got to command but nervous because I had never command with Latin commands.  I got my clinga and vertite mixed up but everyone said I did good. 

Then we had the gladiator fights, as if I was not tired enough.  I got into my gear and I did two fights.  One as an Essidarii, against my brother, and the other Secutor against my brother.  I was going to do another fight as Myrmillo but luckily our signifier stepped up and did that one.  Both of the fights I was the victor.  In the second fight when I was Secutor facing my brother it was a very interesting fight.  Some how we ended up pulling each other to the ground, well when we did he landed on my shield.  No big deal it sounds like but the part that was on the shield was his neck.  The only reason I knew this was because the lanista pulled me off of him.  My shield was not so lucky!  It now has a crack in the top section, and it now needs bracers in the top and bottom and not just the middle. 

After the fights were over and we did our salutes to the crowd, I immediately went to my friend to see if he was ok.  I quickly apologized for my actions.  About every hour after that I was apologizing and asking if he was ok.  Well, thanks the gods because he is ok and we are still brothers. 

We all changed back into our soldier gear, well I just but on my tunic, belt, and sword.  The crowd started dieing down so we started to tear everything down.  We first started with the arena since it was not in use.  We made quick work of that and then started on the feast hall/general tent.  After that was complete we started on the soldier tents.  We had everything packed and ready to go before it got dark. 

We then went to the hotel room.  We were suppose to be going back to the other hotel that ended up being a disaster, but in the morning or signifier surprised us with telling us that he spoke to the hotel manager and got us the same room for this night as well.  After that was said we all quickly gave him a big hug and declared him a god of the Roman people.  After taking showers we starting talking about going out some where to eat dinner, most of us wanted to get pizza, or something along those lines.  Unfortunately, it was super bowl Sunday and most of those places were going to packed and/or over worked because of the super bowl.  Not being able to decide on a place to eat we called down to the front desk and asked about a good steak and seafood place.  After a little horsing around with the front desk clerks we ended up getting a ride from the hotel in there shuttle to and from the hotel.  I forget the name of the restaurant but it ended up being a very good place to go.

The restaurant, we found out later, use to be a strip club.  The waitress pointed out the electrical plugs on the ceiling for the polls.  That did not stop us from enjoying our meal.  That night I had two Sam Adams: Boston Lager and they were oh so good, steak medium well, bake potato, and a slice of key lime pie.  Our centurion, for desert, got one of the local delicacies, it was a moon pie surprise.  We thought it would be a moon pie with whip cream and a cherry.  Well, it was a heated up moon pie in a ice cream sundae cup with vanilla ice cream, hot chocolate syrup, and a cherry.  I did not try it but I was told it was GOOD!

After that we quickly went to the hotel because me and my brother wanted to watch the new season episode of ROME on HBO.  Well, the hotel did not have HBO, we found that hard to believe!  So we called the front desk and they told us that they do have HBO but sense the hotel was remodeling HBO was disconnected.  So with no HBO we got ready for bed and crashed.

On February 5 we all surprising got up at around the same time.  Well, except for my brother and his new recruit who had to leave early to get home in time.  They got up just as the sun started to come up and light up the sky.  We bid them farewell and then got up ourselves. 

On the drive home I was driving the van again and our signifier was driving the suburban.  We stopped at a Shoney’s for breakfast.  That was not such a good idea, at the time it was but not for the drive afterwards.  Why, because I was fighting to stay awake from the Shoney’s which was just outside of Mobile all the way to the GA border. 

Just inside the GA border we dropped the Optio for Legio XI CPF and his daughter off at there house and had a small but good lunch, well it was closer to dinner.  We had bread with Roman cheese spread and olive spread.  It hit the spot!

We then all loaded back up and headed home.  I was now in the suburban with our signifier and his girlfriend while our centurion and his daughter rode in the van.  I slept the whole way, well until we stopped for gas. 

We finally got to our centurions house around 2330 hrs.  I was staying at the centurions house to help unload the trailers but our signifier and his girlfriend went back home because they had to work the next day. 

On February 6 I got up early again for some reason, around 0830 hrs.  Surprisingly we made quick work of the trailers!  We started on the u haul first and then went to our trailer.  We did not unload the van well, the shields that were in the van.  He said his son would take care of it.  I got back to my apartment around 1230 hrs. 

There is my report on the event in Mobile, Alabama.