Meet a Centurian at Hadrian's Wall

 School groups will be able to discover what life was really like as a Roman soldier stationed in the loneliest part of the Empire at a series of English Heritage workshops on Hadrian’s Wall.

In an exciting 90-minute session at either Chesters near Corbridge or Housesteads near Haltwhistle, the children will meet the imposing Marcus Aufidius Maximus – or Maximus for short – handle the equipment that Roman soldiers would have used, have a guided tour round the fort and then take part in a drill session dressed up as soldiers.

Maximus – alias Steve Richardson - is a Senior Centurion commanding a double century of soldiers, which actually means 160 men. Steve said: “Maximus is not just any Roman soldier; there really was a Marcus Aufidius Maximus in the early Second Century, and we know this because there are two altars dedicated to him in Bath.”

Although Maximus must have been tough to command all those men, Steve says there seems to have been another, kindlier side to the soldier: “I think he was a nice sort of guy, as the dedications mention that he allowed his slaves to go free once they’d served their time.”

Steve shares his Roman soldier role with Roy Lawson – also known as Maximus Secundus – who leads the schools workshops on days when Steve’s not around.

Kim Naylor-Vane of English Heritage’s Education Team based in York, said the sessions are a vivid and memorable way of bringing history to life for Key Stage 2 and 3 children in the age range 7 to 13 years:

“While showing that the Romans were living, breathing people in their time, Maximus also helps the children recognise that there is a historical context to everything around us; when the children ask if he eats potatoes, for instance, Maximus just looks mystified. One child asked if he’d seen the film Gladiator, and again, he is puzzled.”

“Meet a Roman Soldier” workshops for schools or other educational groups run throughout the Summer Term up to Friday 18 July. Running at Housesteads and Chesters on Hadrian’s Wall, the workshops cost £60 for up to 35 children or £90 for up to 60 children, including free admission to the site. The workshops will continue to be available at Housesteads into the autumn term and for the foreseeable future by arrangement.

For further information please contact the English Heritage Education Team for the North of England, tel 01904 601917, email educ.ne@english-heritage.org.uk