AD43 2008

[Caius Fabius]

Once again the Roman Fort and vicus will ring with the sounds of busy people. The Celtic Roundhouse and mead hall will also have a crowd.
Soldiers doing the everyday tasks of service, cavalry training, immunes practicing their specialized crafts, and civilians all hoping to make a denarius from the soldiers....
Step into the time of AD 43-45 Southern Britain and join the ranks of LEG II Augusta or her auxiliary cohort, or even help the peaceful Briton and Roman civilians or join a marauding warband.

Immersion, without crowds of onlookers, no roped areas for spectators, (unless we have gladiators), and no modern clothes after sundown. 24 hour guard mounts and patrols at the Roman forts, trying to protect the locals from the sneak attacks and raids, building details, drill and marching practice, weapons training and competitions.... or even get a pass and end up in the local wine shop, if you have a few sesterti left over.

The event will be from 27-30 March, 2008.

Never participated before? We have a school of the soldier.
Traveling from afar and can't carry all your kit on the plane? We have some loaner stuff.
You will meet new people and learn new things.

You will have the chance to join a 8 person work-group, and compete as a group against other similar teams. Work-groups will be divided into centuries and assigned different missions. Centurions and optios will take roll, train and supervise, request supplies and rations and plan duty rosters to accomplish their missions. Specialists in medical, supply, engineering, blacksmithing, baking, brick making, and other fields will have work to do.

The event will be near Paragould, in north-eastern Arkansas.

Watch this space for more information!

Dan Peterson will be there with his display.
There will be a blacksmithing class.
There will be a school of the cornicen.

[Hibernicus]

Unfortunately, LEGIO IX HISPANA are unable to make Lafe en masse in 2008, ....though some members will still be able to make it !

We are looking forward to Lafe 2009!

We are working on the possibility of bringing 40 soldiers plus numerous civilians!

as of Dec 31: we had a discussion the other day and we are now quite confident in our ability to bring 40 soldiers to Lafe in 2009! Our recruitment quotas for 2007 were met. The southern California chapters are expecting to add an additional 20 by the end of 2008 which would bring our numbers in those 4 chapters very close to 50!

We continue to encourage all North American Romans to attend Lafe 2008. It's a very fun event.

[varia cassia]

Interested in having a Roman vendor? We would be interested in coming to the event to vend.

[Marcus Cassius LegioXIV]

That would be a neat thing to have a vendor. I reenact American civil war a lot and one of the things they do is you can buy a token or piece of paper that can be used for a vendor before the event really kicks off. That way it looks more period than 21st century cash!

Also I've been reading the yahoo board, I like the idea of combat anytime. Because, yes even though Romans didn't always fight, they really wouldn't know when a fight/skirmish would happen. Or at the very least don't tell us if a battle/fight will happen, we should be alert all the time, always fun to be kept in the dark at an event like this.

[Caius Fabius]

Just back from the event site! You cannot imagine the amount of work that has been done this year, adding to the thousands of man-hours of previous work. I can promise that your first sight of the fort will stir your blood! The newly built tavern in the vicus and the Celtic feast Hall will As be of interest to those who attend.

This year everyone will fall in with one unit. No mini-legions, no lone wolves. The contubernium will be the place where smaller units keep their cohesion, and tasks will be assigned to tent-groups. There will be an actual chain of command, and scheduled training, as well as in character tasks and surprises. Don't expect to switch into modern clothes as the sun goes down or to spend your time interacting with the public. We will be immersed in the routines and duties of a Roman detachment during the time of the Emperor Claudius. The local Celts invited the Romans to help them remove the bonds forced upon them by a Briton tribal confederation, and they are happy to see the strength of Rome supporting their kingdom. There may be outlaws, bandits, and even enemy warbands, but the main emphasis will be on learning to be a better Roman soldier. All of the attending units have set aside their personal rank structures to join in the fun. Many unit centurions are welcoming the chance to step back into the ranks! This is going to be a great event. If you haven't signed up, there is still time. If you are not with a unit, we will find you a place to serve. Auxiliaries are also welcome!

We will have classes by various craftsmen and women, and Dan Peterson will give a talk on the Roman Army and answer questions. Respected members of Roman Army Talk will give classes in their areas of expertise, and we will be using 'Roman money' to buy and sell items at the vicus. The Local Celts also are fond of bartering, so bring something that you might enjoy trading for Celtic goods. They may also take Roman silver.

See you there!

[rusty myers]

Gladiators? If you like I can bring the "arena" to set up. Looks better than a rope line... You have seen it. I think, the 50' circle with gladiator art all around it. I have some room for it.

[FlaviusCrispus]

Avete, amici!

Team Terra, the ground-based group making the long trek from Southern California to Lafe Arkansas has departed as of this afternoon, March 25, and should arrive early Thursday, March 27. Team Terra is pulling our trailer with all our tentage, fighting gear and ballista.

Team Aquila, the aerial contingent, leaves Thursday morning and should be on site by mid-afternoon.

We'll have 11 souls in total and as much camp gear as we can stuff in the trailer, truck and suitcases. We'll also be bringing along our own "Imbedded Reporter" (with the Acta Diurna) to chronicle our Expeditio Lafe with videos and stills.

Gods willing, this will be a terrific event! Can't wait to see all our comilitones there!

[Praefectusclassis]

Hi Dave,
Where will the results of your 'imbedded reporter's' work be seen? Have a link?