Form 1 experienced the world of ancient Rome with a Roman Day workshop. The children were transported back to Roman Britain with a recreation of life in the past including role-play, practical activities and hands-on experiences with Roman replica artefacts. The children were aptly dressed as Roman citizens, slaves or even barbarians!
The Byron House Big Room became the villa near a Roman occupied town during the 60 AD Boudican revolt where the children were busy working as apprentices, learning, making and trading crafts whilst sharing all the latest gossip as Romano-Britons. The children all took the role of Roman citizens or slaves during the revolt and, from their villa, awaited the news of the outcome whilst discussing the events that led to this dangerous time in the history of Roman occupied Britain. One young Roman commented, “We got to prepare a Roman feast and we all had different roles to play. I learnt that a Roman banquet was designed to impress the guests, so fancy food was not enough. Some kind of entertainment was expected, such as music or poetry. The meal might be accompanied by flautists, acrobats, dancers, or recitals of poetry!”
Form 1 Romans also had the chance to test oil lamps and make charm bags and fresco paintings. The children visited a typical beautician, potters, herbalists and jewellers too. The morning finished with a storytelling session. During the afternoon the children experienced a symposium, which celebrated the Roman victory over the Boudican rebels with a prepared banquet. Food was served by slaves and the feast included performances by the children who took on the roles of actors, dancers and soldier-athletes. Our Romans went home with many an anecdote being told of the escapades of the day.
