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BEST OF 2004

AD 2004 (AUC 2757) was a banner year for Legio VI Victrix. We honed and improved upon our baseline portrayal of a mid-second century AD Roman legion, while expanding our horizons in new and exciting directions. Early in the year, we recreated a Macedonian phalanx for the History Channel production "The True Story of Alexander the Great" (aired November, 2004) and portrayed both Republican Roman legionaries and Carthaginians for "The True Story of Hannibal" (airing January 2, 2005). We followed up by setting up full encampments at the Irish Festival (June), Old Fort MacArthur Days (July), Long Beach Renaissance Arts Festival (August), and Marching Through History (October), where we won our first unit award (3rd place, best pre-Colonial Encampment). We also continued with our monthly Fabricae and bi-monthly hikes, participated in numerous educational programs, and reveled the historical dance/arts pageant "Rome Is Burning." By mid-year, we had an impressive civilian Roman component and were even staging gladiatorial contests! Highlights of 2004 are seen in the photo gallery below.

True Story of Alexander: The Macedonian Phalanx.

The phalanx on the move, sun streaming through.

Another artsy shot of the phalanx.

"Alexander the Great." Caius Man created the fantastic cuirass, based on the famous Pompeii mosaic.

Alexander on horseback. This kid was quite a horseman, riding (correctly) sans stirrups or saddle!

Ron Glass as a bloody Athenian hoplite at the battle of Chaeronea.

And got some after-action First Aid.

True Story of Hannibal: Caius Man as a Carthaginian, Gil Whitley in the background.

After his stint as an Athenian, Ron also went Carthago.

Carthaginians prepare to spring the trap at Cannae.

Arick Greenberg as a rather grubby Roman legionary.

Norm Morris and Trevor Magson as Celts in Hannibal's service.

Rome Is Burning: Prefect J.D. Feigelson (in transverse crest), Norm Morris, and guardsmen Chris Ramirez and Arick Greenberg enjoy some Roman decadence.

Leela's Roman ladies give everyone an eyeful of pulchritude.

Gil, Melissa Crandall and Arick share a table (Melissa and Arik later got engaged!)

Long Beach RenFaire: Legionary Darius (Gil Whitley) stands guard duty; Leg VI's new command tent is in the background.

Sabina Nona (Jennifer Fleury) and Gratia Honoria (Laura Matos) pay homage to the emperor.

Gladiators Darius (Gil Whitley) and Dio (Arik Greenberg) train at the pellum post before their bout.

Escorted by legionaires, the gladiators enter the arena.

Centurio Magnus (Caius Man), holds the laurel crown for the victor and explains the rules of the training bout.

Magnus introduces the combatants.

Flanked by guards, the gladiators share a last word...

...before they give the salute, "morituri te salutant!"

Wham! Bang! Slam! Ouch!

Darius the Dreadful stands over defeated Dio.

Birth of a legionary: Optio Flavius helps new recruit Marius (Greg Douglass) try on a lorica segmentata for the first time.

Optio has a few "suggestions" for Marius...

Florentius and Flavius get set to demonstrate Roman fighting techniques.

Marching Through History: Romans of Legios VI and IX add to the pageantry at the opening ceremonies.

A couple of Young Marines hobnob with legionaries Silanus (Randy Heer), Darius (Gil Whitley), and Magnus (Caius Man).

Darius explains the finer points of legionary life to some entranced youngsters.

Hibernicus, centurio of Legio IX Hispana, pays a comradely visit to the men of VI Victrix.

Nighttime at MTH: Magnus, Flavius and Sabina share warmth and conversation.

L. A. Irish Faire, June 2004: A small vexilation of Legio VI prepares for inspection near a (low!) section of the Antonine Wall.

Centurio Magnus, Praefect Julius and legionary Maximus get ready for march-out.

A view of the campsite. Tentage was supplied by our Celtic brethren, Queen Mebd's Encampment.

Gaius Manlius, Maximus, Avisianus, and T. Flavius Crispus model the latest Roman military fashions.

Flavius and Maximus display the differences between the Newstead model lorica segmentata (left) and its antecedent, the Corbridge A model.

Diogenes stands guard at the Irish Faire campsite. Note the thrusting spear (hasta), used in place of the usual pilum.

Legionaries clean up and repair their kit and work on new projects (such as a LEG VI banner) early Saturday morning.

Roman matrons Junia (Jenna Man) and Ioanna (Kris Lehere), assisted by Postumus Scaevola (Ron Glass, behind wall), both dressed in the traditional stola, watch over the Man kids, Celtia and Gryphon.

Praefect Julius Avisianus (J.D. Fiegelson, center) leads a foraging expedition of legionaries sans armor. From left, Gil Whitley, J.D., Ron Glass, Chris Ramirez, Jared Fleury.

Quintus Florentius Agrippa (Jared Fleury) displays the gear of a mid-to-late 2nd century legionary.

Gaius Darius Valerianus (Gil Whitley) looking splendid in a well-fitted Newstead cuirass, cross-braced helmet, and kilt of pteruges (leather straps).

T. Flavius Crispus (Dave Michaels) shows off his optio's kit, which includes an Iza-variant Newstead cuirass, crested and plumed Italic G helmet, and a ball-headed staff.