The motivations for re-enactors, living historians, &etc doing what what they do (by reading this thread) are varied. Mostly because it's fun, interesting, like to get dressed up in costumes, educating the public. A question I've not read answered is "why"...
If you're doing it for fun, you don't need a reason why
If you're doing it because it's interesting, you don't need a reason why
If you're doing it because you like to play dress-up, that's it's own reason
But educating the public is a biggie...
Why is it so important the public knows about the ancient Roman army? Why does the public need to know the difference between a spear and a javelin, or that the Praetorians depicted in Gladiator are mistaken? How will such information benefit a child or inquiring adult and, furthermore, the world? What is the underlying message you're trying to get across? What do you want the public to take away from your event? Is it something along the lines of " history repeating?" The depravity of empire? There was life before iPhones?
I think there are two kinds of people involved with this-
1. People who are in it for themeselves
2. People who are in it for others
If you're in group 1, it's hedonism. We can all agree that the "coolness factor" of Roman soldiers is quite high. You could be dressing up like a Roman soldier or you could be tailgating. One is as good as the other. Rome is merely the flavor of the month...
If you're in group 2, you work for, and are accountable to the public. It's a cause larger than youself. You maintain a measure of professional detachment that is impossible for the hedonist. You're essentially out to change perspectives. And by changing perspecives you can change lives. And by changing lives, you can change the world...what do you, as a living historian, bring to the table?
By why the Roman army, in particular? Why not aboriginal Australia?
If you're doing it for fun, you don't need a reason why
If you're doing it because it's interesting, you don't need a reason why
If you're doing it because you like to play dress-up, that's it's own reason
But educating the public is a biggie...
Why is it so important the public knows about the ancient Roman army? Why does the public need to know the difference between a spear and a javelin, or that the Praetorians depicted in Gladiator are mistaken? How will such information benefit a child or inquiring adult and, furthermore, the world? What is the underlying message you're trying to get across? What do you want the public to take away from your event? Is it something along the lines of " history repeating?" The depravity of empire? There was life before iPhones?
I think there are two kinds of people involved with this-
1. People who are in it for themeselves
2. People who are in it for others
If you're in group 1, it's hedonism. We can all agree that the "coolness factor" of Roman soldiers is quite high. You could be dressing up like a Roman soldier or you could be tailgating. One is as good as the other. Rome is merely the flavor of the month...
If you're in group 2, you work for, and are accountable to the public. It's a cause larger than youself. You maintain a measure of professional detachment that is impossible for the hedonist. You're essentially out to change perspectives. And by changing perspecives you can change lives. And by changing lives, you can change the world...what do you, as a living historian, bring to the table?
By why the Roman army, in particular? Why not aboriginal Australia?
Regards, David
