Illustrations and Reconstructions of Barrack Rooms

[John Conyard]

I suspect our views on various reconstructions are partly formed by the illustrations we enjoyed in our youth. But it was never the pictures of battles that excited me. I was interested in illustrations of barrack rooms.

One day I intend to buy a simple garden shed and install it in the back garden. I will to the best of my ability furnish it as a Roman barrack room, probably for three cavalrymen - myself and two sons. I do not yet aspire to live in a villa, although that would be great. I intend to start small and work up.

I would be interested in people's views of various illustrations of barrack rooms. And I would be interested in reconstructions of barrack rooms.

My benchmark starts with Embleton's and Graham's 1984 "Hadrian's Wall in the Days of the Romans". Embleton illustrated a cavalry barrack room with bare walls and bunk beds. There is no hearth to warm the soldier coming in from the torrential rain. The soldiers look very uniformly British and stoical. I bought the book in 1986, it gives great atmosphere, and was good start.

Jumping forward we have "The roman Fort" by Peter Connolly. Connolly played a major part in forming my view of Roman life. His barrack room, indeed entire block, shows a clean uniform system of bunk beds and matching bed covers. He discusses the possible construction of the barracks, sleeping arrangements and shows fireplaces.

I really like Graham Sumner's illustration of a barrack room at Vindolanda, readily available in "Garrison Life on The Roman Frontier" by Birley. We get a hearth, bunk beds, graffiti and lots of straw on the floor. I like the atmosphere.

Angus McBride in "Imperial Rome at War" gives us a friendly dirty very large room with a roaring fire. I like the graffiti and the wattle and daub walls in need of repair.

Graham Hodgson, an old Comitatus member, has done a black and white illustration of a cavalry barrack at from Wallsend. The rear room, roughly 12 feet by 12, have room for 3 beds and seems a good source for inspiration.

I have only been to Wallsend once, although I'll be back there this August with a horse. I vaguely remember a reconstructed barrack room. I've stayed in the Arbeia versions more times than I care to remember. Compared to these the reconstructed room at Cirencester looked a little poor. But I really enjoyed the rest of the museum.

Could people give me other pictures or reconstructions to enjoy?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Wallsend on a horse? hock: Not much room to manuever there if I recall correctly!

[John Conyard]

There will be two of us plus two horses. I don't expect to do much more than sit on them and show off very nice cavalry equipment. Real pat the pony stuff.

[Graham Sumner]

Hi John

I really like Graham Sumner's illustration of a barrack room at Vindolanda, readily available in "Garrison Life on The Roman Frontier" by Birley. We get a hearth, bunk beds, graffiti and lots of straw on the floor. I like the atmosphere.

Glad you liked the picture. Made well before my costume books so I might change some things there. Otherwise everything was based on Vindolanda finds including the small portable altar in the right corner and a small bell. By using 'Action Men' and card models I managed to fit four bunk beds with space for a table into a barrack room quite easily! However for the purposes of the illustration I omitted the nearside bunk from the viewpoint I eventually used.

There is another line drawing of a Barrack room in the book 'Roman Forts' by Anne Johnson.

Graham.

[jho]

Take a look at their 3D Section with pics and animations of the fort in Aalen. This should also include some glimpses of the very imposing barracks there:

[url:1ef16zy2]http://www.digitale-architektur.de/[/url]

There are also some goodies in the Section "Interaktivität.

[John Conyard]

I don't think I'm familiar with the Anne Johnson book "Roman Forts". Stephen Johnson yes, but not Anne. I'll do a search, thank you. I didn't realise you used action men and models. Some of those action men look familiar.

I appreciate I haven't been distinct about the date of barrack room, or if it will be infantry or cavalry. But frankly all examples of reproductions or illustrations would be good. Graham Hodgson actually did two illustrations of cavalry barracks which I think are now owed by English Heritage. But they are well reproduced in "The Roman Fort at Wallsend (Segedunum) Excavations in 1997-8". He relied heavily on Connolly's illustration in "The Cavalryman". But Connolly used bunk beds, Graham didn't.

With only three men compared to eight, the need for bunk beds in a cavalry barracks is to some degree alleviated. But I firmly believe barrack rooms would be full of all sorts of belongings. Not just saddles and equipment, but personal belongings such as boxes, pottery etc etc. A hearth would be great, but a hanging brazier would also be acceptable.

Anyway, all leads, examples, pictures etc. gratefully received.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Let us know the dates John, and I will possibly make it down to see the ponies! Assuming I am not tied up at work or an event.

[John Conyard]

Good morning,

We'll stay over at Arbeia on the Friday and Saturday night. We do displays at Arbeia on the Saturday (16th August), and move across to Segedunum on the Sunday morning for a "static" display on the 17th.

You would be welcome to see us. You may even find yourself dressed up and hoisted up on a horse so you can get a feel for the saddle. I'm sure we can find a nice barrack room for you!

John

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Thanks for the invite! I will do my best to get there! 8)

[John Conyard]

The German site was excellent and helped bring the period to life.