Page 83 - How It Works - Book of Amazing Answers To Curious Questions, 12

��e ----------�

What was life as a

Roman soldier like?
The buccina (a type of trumpet) There were a series of eight,
marked the start of every new day. three-hour watches, known as the
The soldiers were highly disciplined 'vigilia', and each change of watch
- military aspirations and a strict code was signalled by the buccinator
of honour dominated their lives. They (buccina player). Sometimes soldiers
practised sword fighting, hand-to­ were ill or sustained injuries, so the
hand combat and military Romans instituted a permanent
manoeuvres. Roman soldiers endured medical corps and hospital in the fort.
a gruelling regime that included The fort could also act as a trading
running, swimming and marching station where vendors sold crafts,
over long distances. The day of a anomals and food. It was here that
soldier could be divided into phases liaisons, both romantic and political,
that revolved around •the watch'. were established.

The Romans perfected the art of
masonry by creating a revolutionary

new material that was known as 'opus
caementicium' - a concrete made of

rock, rubble or ceramic tiles

Vercovicium
Housesteads (or Vercovicium,
which means 'hilly place') is a
fort situated high up in the
north-west of England.

A series of long rectangular
buildings. Each sleeping quarter
had two rooms, one for the
soldier's use and the second to
store his equipment.
/

The fort worked on many levels- it served as a
barracks, hospital, workshop, granary and stables.
Every structure included a main street that ran
unimpeded through the camp. In the centre was a
parade yard and a commander's headquarters.
The Romans placed great emphasis on
cleanliness, and so sanitary conditions were
especially important. Forts had public baths and preserved of the 16
private latrines, consisting of rows of seats situated forts along the length
of Hadrian's Wall.
over a channel of running water. Drinking water,
meanwhile, came from wells. 0

WorldMags.net How It T%rks 83
WorldMags.net