Ave Deva
The ancient heritage of Chester was celebrated this weekend with the sixth annual Great Roman Festival – more than 2,000 spectators visited the city’s Amphitheatre on Sunday.
Sheriff of Chester Cllr Andrew Storrar declared the opening of the Roman Fest on Friday at Town Hall Square, with soldiers and gladiators taking part in The March of the Dead (Gladiators) and Egyptian dancers entertaining the crowd. There was a Roman presence across the city with soldiers on duty for Roman Day at Chester Racecourse on Saturday and encampments at Chester Amphitheatre, Dean’s Field and Rufus Court.
Following the launch of the Festival on Friday there was an evening of Bacchanalian musical entertainment and North Africa dance at Alexander’s Bar, Rufus Court. There was even dormouse on the menu.
The highlights of the Festival were Roman Race Day at Chester Racecourse on Saturday and on Sunday at the Amphitheatre when more than 2,000 people braved the inclement weather. Even the goddess Minerva’s owl (a real one), together with keeper, entertained the throng and the Emperor was on hand to give his Aves to the crowd at The Cross, during a massed legionary parade through the streets of Chester. He blessed the event by allowing his personnel body guard to escort the race winners to the winners enclosure and was on hand at the Amphitheatre with his priestess on Sunday, making offerings to Minerva and Jupiter Greatest and Best.
Paul Harstone, AKA Centurion Occratius Maximus Gittus, said:
“The invasion of Britain was not halted for the weather and neither were we going to let the downpours over the weekend dampen our spirits. The Festival celebrates Chester’s Roman heritage which is brought to life with a stunning programme of events for all the family. Unfortunately, a few of our activities had to be postponed for safety reasons by the weather, but these will be rolled out during our continued calendar of Roman activities linked to an actual Festival in the Roman calendar. These are happening every month up to October in the Amphitheatre. The next event is a whole weekend during archaeological week on the 14th and 15th July, celebrating the Roman Games so come and cheer for your favourite gladiator and sign your kids up for a life in the legion. Best of all, it’s free.”
Archery was taught at a living history camp at Dean’s Field and the mighty Ballista (Roman artillery) was demonstrated at the Amphitheatre. Living history, military training, cooking and the chance to try on an authentic suit of armour were just a few of the activities available along with Roman traders at Rufus Court and the Amphitheatre, demonstrating crafts and selling pottery, ironwork and food.
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NOTES
Roman activities in Chester linked to an actual Festival in the Roman calendar include:
Saturday July 14 – Neptunalia, as part of National Archaelogical Weekend at the Amphitheatre and Park
Sunday July 15 – Neptunalia, at the Amphitheatre, River Dee and city centre
Sunday August 19 – Vulcanalia, at the Amphitheatre and city centre
Sunday September 9 – The Roman Games, at the Amphitheatre and city centre
Sunday October 28 – Pormonia and Samhain, at the Amphitheatre, Grosvenor Museum and city centre
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