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Caerleon

Year 7 Trip to Isca (March 09)

When we went to the Capricorn centre, we first watched the video on what it used to look like, and how the Romans and the Celts got along fairly well because the Romans provided opportunities for trade. I was surprised by how easily they lived together, as further west in Wales, the Celts were doing everything they could to resist the Romans. We then went into a small room that represented what eight Roman soldiers would have slept in. It had two bunk beds that occupied most of the space, a small shrine to the Gods where they would have put offerings and there was fireplace in the corner. Our guide told us about Roman battle tactics such as the tortoise shell formation, and passed some chainmail armour around which was exceptionally heavy, and was astonishing to know that people had fought in armour like it. He also showed us different Roman weapons, and their shields etc. I thought it was all very interesting and very enjoyable.

When we visited Caerleon, one of the highlights of the trip was the Baths. It was surprisingly well preserved, and the information and one video around the baths were very interesting. The video was about how the Roman’s enjoyed themselves and socialised in their free time. The video had some very good recreations of what the baths were like. It gradually took us through all the stages involved in going out to the baths. I was very impressed by the artefacts they had there: they included a ‘Strigil’ which was used to scrape off dirt and sweat; it is also quite incredible that they even had some gems and jewellery that was gradually loosened and eventually fell off the Romans in the Baths. We really enjoyed the trip and we hope that we will get another chance to visit these wonderful sights.

When we visited the Roman barracks in Caerleon, they were quiet and peaceful; only a silent whisper of what they would have been almost two millenniums ago. Within the now-ruined walls, eighty men, a century of Roman warriors would have lived. These men were divided into contubernium, groups of eight men who lived, worked, fought, ate and even went to the toilet together. We saw the sort of flats that they were accommodated in, with two rooms. We found it truly amazing but also hard to believe how bonded they would have been. They would fight to the death to protect each other, and go into mourning if one of them died. It was something which we will never forget...

After lunch our group looked around the amphitheatre, which was the highlight of the trip for me, and I’m sure many other people. It was different than I expected; with a sheet of grass blanketing the majority of rows of aged stone seats. Once you are standing in the middle of the amphitheatre, it is an incredible experience. You can just imagine the thunderous roar of an excited crowd as you step nervously in to the centre, ready to fight... by George Tall, Cameron Rose and Will McDonnell

The museum was full of ancient Roman artefacts and information. We were asked to fill in a quiz, and the questions it contained were about facts that you could find out about in signs put up around the museum. Some of the artefacts were things such as old stones with inscriptions in them which were found in the baths and pots used for cooking. There were also various types of jewels e.g. brooches, hair chop sticks, necklaces and rings. As well as all that there were loads of ancient armour from the roman soldiers e.g. spears, swords, body plates and shields. Overall the museum was a great experience and we hope that we will visit it again.

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