Roar of the crowd during Roman times.

 Gladiator fights and chariot-races are well-known aspects of Roman civilisation that still appeal to the public imagination today. They were popular spectator sports and, like big sporting events nowadays, involved large crowds, passionate supporters and prize money for the successful. Scenes from fights or racing were used as decoration around the house, such as mosaics and wall-paintings or on bowls, drinking glasses, knife-handles and lamps, as well as on items of jewellery like signet rings and brooches. Our exhibition 'To the Roar of the Crowd' looks at some of these items in everyday use, and what they can tell us about the world of the games.

The exhibition examines all the roles involved in spectator sports, from those who organised the event and the owners of the gladiators, to the participants in the spectacle, which included not only gladiators, but wild animals, criminals and musicians. Find out about the different types of gladiators, their weapons and equipment, and learn about the experiences of charioteers, and the rituals of arena and circus.

The exhibition also features visuals by 3D artist, Neil Brewis, originally from South Shields and currently Course Leader in Computer Games Art at Solent University, Southampton. Neil’s research interests are digital reconstructions of Roman archaeological sites, and for the past ten years he has created animations and augmented reality simulations for sites and museums in the UK and Italy.

The Blackfriars and Mainz Ship wrecks

 

Roman Cavalry man Segedumn Walls end, New Castle

 Below you will see photos from the Museum. The artifacts are amazing. I know I will never be able to return to Britain at this stage of my life. I finally did see part of Hadrian's wall.  Notice is order to be a cavalry man the height requirement was that you had to be six foot at the minimum heights.  These romans had to be a impressive sight in Battle.

Wallsend on the River Tynes New Castle

 The Segedunum Roman Fort at Walls End on Tyneside.   Why is is call Walls end? This where Hadrian's wall end at the Ocean.  The wall continued as short into the Tynes. Here is where roman ship would dock to unload their cargo or troops.  The is incorporated into the city of New Castle.

The Fort remnants today

On the Lower right is the Wallsend that goes out to the sea.

Segedumn would of housed a Legion of roman soldiers. The upper left you will see the wall. Is was used a cause way to deliver Troops and supplies along he length if the wall.   The layout you finding to typical of later Roman Forts. Everything the legion would need to housed inside the wall.  Outside the to gates as civil housing.  Shops that sold goods to the troops. And of course the local ladies of the night that would get the legionnaires money for romp in their rooms. It is very typical of what happened around a fort. The people had protection from wild Scots from the North. 

A Roman cavalry men's billet. Not much to see, Just the bare minmum need to keep one warm and free of rain.  Your would be in the room next to you. There you would feed and care for your horse.

Note the raised floor for center heating.

Endng todays post is the stone toilet/ Here you would chat with your mates. To complain about 

the terrible Britain's weather while longing to go home to Rome.