Presentation 1 - The Gallic War

When you choose Presentation 1 - The Gallic War, Crastinus will speak from a period prior to the siege of Alesia in 52 B.C., which was just before the end of Caesar's campaigns in Gaul.  He will talk about life in Caesar's army, including training and details about all armor and weaponry.  He will illustrate with stories from the Gallic campaigns and will invite a few audience members to demonstrate with foam swords what he has taught and to try on pieces of armor.

Presentation 2 - The Civil War

When you choose Presentation 2 - The Civil War, Crastinus will speak from a period just before the battle of Pharsalus in 48 B.C.  He will talk about life in Caesar's army, including training and details about all armor and weaponry.  He will illustrate with references to the Gallic campaigns and a discussion of loyalty, whether to a particular man, as he has chosen, or to Rome itself, as former legatus of the Tenth Legion, Titus Labienus has chosen by siding with Pompey.  He will invite a few audience members to demonstrate with foam swords what he has taught and to try on pieces of armor.

Gaius Crastinus

Imagine the Green Berets, Special Forces, and Navy Seals combined into one unbeatable unit.  That is the famous Tenth Legion that Caesar loved and used to subdue Gaul.  What sort of man does it take to lead a unit like this?  It has to be someone brave and fearless.  Meet Gaius Crastinus, first spear centurion of the Tenth!

The moment Centurion Crastinus marches onto the stage, he commands your attention as he sees if you have what it takes to join his legion.  Depending on the performance you choose, he will either take you into the barbaric land of 1st century B.C. Gaul and Caesar's campaign of conquest or lead you from the victory of Gaul through the upheaval of the Roman civil war between Caesar and Pompey.  With either presentation, Centurion Crastinus will make sure that you learn the details of life in the army of late Republican Rome.  You will come to respect the business end of the Roman spear and sword.  You will discover how the great Roman shield could be used both defensively and offensively.  At the end, a few lucky audience members will get the chance to prove themselves with practice swords, but only one will be chosen as the newest recruit of Legio X.  Do you have what it takes?

Time:  30-45 minutes, with Q & A following

Audience:  Small or large group

We have free downloads (here, here, and here) of material you may wish to use with your group.