Friends, Romans and Legionnaires at Wroxeter Roman City

Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 June 2012

Wroxeter Roman City returns to its origins on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June, as an encampment of Roman legionnaires returns to deepest Shropshire to demonstrate the battle tactics and artillery firepower that created history’s most enduring empire!

Wroxeter, or ‘Virconium’ as it was known 2000 years ago, was first established as a legionary fortress, only later developing into Britain’s fourth largest city when civilians joined the soldiers. The Mighty Roman Army weekend will look at the population of the site in its earliest days, when the first legion set up camp during their military exercises.

“As the Roman Empire grew, so its soldiers lived a mobile life as they conquered and secured new territories. Our military encampment will give visitors a taste of what life might have been like, for these soldiers, with not only displays of the fearsome drill that made them such a formidable army, but also displays and talks about field medicine and health, from wound care to bath-time rituals,” says site manager, Mary Wycherley.

The displays include aspects of the Roman soldier's training, and visitors will also be able to watch the firing of artillery pieces – impressive 2000 year-old military technology!

The encampment opens at 11.00am each day, with displays of military drill at 12 noon and 3.30pm, and a chance for children to get involved and learn about some of the Roman battle strategies with have-a-go drill at 11am and 2pm.

Wroxeter Roman City, and the recreated Roman Town House, open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Admission prices are £6.50 for adults, £5.80 for concessions and £4.20 for children, or £17.10 for a family ticket (two adults and up to three children). English Heritage members receive discounted admission prices of £1.50, £1.30 and £1.20 respectively, or £4.10 for a family ticket.

The Mighty Roman Army is one of a number of Roman-themed events taking place at Wroxeter Roman City this year. Throughout the school summer holidays, visitors will be able to enjoy our Time Travellers Go…Roman events every Tuesday and Wednesday, whilst over the August bank holiday weekend, a new family of Romans will invite visitors to join them as they move into the Roman Town House.

For more information, please call 01743 761330 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/wroxeter

ENDS

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins

PRO – English Heritage (West Midlands)

Tel:         0113251 5698

Email:    jay@fim.org.uk