"National Roman Legion"

[Matthew Amt]

From the National Legion Website:

"We ask: "Do these groups truly honor the late, great, Roman Army?" Not really, because most of these groups are smaller (usually three to ten men in each) and each of these groups strives for a unique look."

If you belong to an independent group that identifies itself with the name and number of a historical legion, you do not truly honor the Roman Army. That's what it says. If you just FEEL like making some cool stuff to be able to show the public a centurion or a signifer as well as a legionary, you are apparently some kind of problem, a twit or egomaniac.

Well, I could go on, but it gives me a stomach ache. The whole first page of the site is riddled with misinformation and dubious insinuations. Most of us love the idea of bigger events and bigger units, and I have yet to meet anyone who wouldn't love to chuck the role of commander for a weekend and go back to playing grunt while someone else is in charge.

This is NOT about "egos"--every reenactment group in the world is run by an ego, or it wouldn't exist. This is not about people not playing nicely together, because we DO, on a regular basis, and our massed events look great regardless of tunic colors or shield emblems. We all agree that Peterson has been a huge inspiration to Roman reenacting, and that he's a nice guy in person. He has visited my home, and we had an excellent visit.

But for some reason he became a monster online. His abusive behavior could easily have gotten him--and RAT--sued, and he alienated any number of people WHO WANTED THE SAME THING HE CLAIMS TO WANT.

Well, it's pointless going on about this, but as one of the main targets of his slanders, I couldn't let everyone go on missing the point. It's not the concept of a National Legion, it's not everyone else's ego. It's Peterson's continued refusal to write in a decent and civilized manner.

Valete,

Matthew