The BIG Roman Route March

[Neuraleanus]

Something that I would like to someday do here in the states is to duplicate what Junkelmann did back in the 80s in Europe, get a bunch of guys together in full roman kit and take an extended hike over many days, camping along the way in a fortified camp, acting as accurately as possible. This is a bit of a dream, here's a few questions to ponder:

1. To do something like this in the USA, where could something like this be done? Not only would we be hiking in kit, but we would need a mule for the tent and when camping, not only would there be camp fires, but we need to be able to dig a vallum to setup a proper roman camp. I envision a bit of ground disturbance here.

2. Who would be interested in such a venture?

3. What should the duration of such a march be?

4. What about sponsorship? If I understand correctly, there was a roman group in Europe that received financial backing from a beer company. The only requirement was that they had to put the beer company's logo on a vexillum. Obviously this deviates from our standards of accuracy, but if doing something like this implies the difference between doing the BIG march or not, well I'm for it.

Quite of bit of planning will be required to pull something like this off. A big march might be just the thing to bring roman reenacting to the public's attention.

[Tiberius Claudius Vindex]

The Appalachian trail might be an okay place. I know you can camp there, and I believe you can bring horses along so a mule wouldn't pose a problem. Short forays away from the trail could be made into cities along the way like Atlanta. As for a sponsor, I'd go with Yuengling beer at least they have an eagle as their logo.

I'd be willing to go, provided work/school permits me.

[A_Volpe]

I don't know if I could stand doing an extended march and encampment sort of thing, although I ponder time and again about doing it.

I think the biggest problem for us in the US is getting permission to do this if we went from state to state, as they may have specific weapons laws (I'm surprised those of us in MA are even allowed to have the sharp-pointy-thingies) or use of environment laws (no fires, no cutting trees, no vallum-digging or wall-building, et cetera).

I do wish you the best on this project, Neuraleanus, although I will most likely be unable to join you in marching it. (I'll gladly spread the word as best I can though! Free advertising for ya!)

[Neuraleanus]

I don't know if I could stand doing an extended march and encampment sort of thing, although I ponder time and again about doing it.

I'm in the process of building of my level of endurance. For day events we have a great place for marches that is very close to me, the Erie Canal. When ever the weather cools down a bit you'll see me there in full roman kit.

I realize that there are many obstacles in the path of doing what I have in mind. It never hurts to ponder the issues and to see how something could be done. On the issue of local weapons laws, it is my understanding that we're in not too bad a shape. Most of the weapons laws are oriented towards firearms. Edged weapons are not exactly on the radar screen of those in power. If you're going to dream, dream BIG.

[Hibernicus]

Perhaps its something that could be worked into the Lafe AK event in March of 06?

Might be fun for the visiting groups to compete against each other that way!

[Neuraleanus]

Might be fun for the visiting groups to compete against each other that way!

To see who can march the furthest? Ah I can see it now, the roman army olympics. :lol: