The 2nd years visited the remains of Isca Silurum Roman fort in the modern town of Caerleon. The pupils explored the impressive amphitheatre that was attached to the fort; here, where the Roman troops had witnessed gladiator and beast-fights, the modern audience was somewhat less entertained by an arm-wrestle between members of 2P. The museum was full of evidence of the everyday life for the soldiers; here the pupils got to imagine life in a crowded barracks room built for a contubernium of eight and tried on some reconstructed Roman armour (too many smiles to be genuine Roman soldiers!). A trip to the camp bathing complex and exercise area was a reminder that the Roman army really looked after their men with plenty of perks which must have made them more willing to put their lives on the line in battles to civilise the barbarian British tribes!
