By Raissa Kasolowsky

CHESTER, England, Oct 20 (Chester Wire) – Gaius Lucius Caduras of

the  20^th Legion of Rome, the proud commander of eight men, two

slaves and two donkeys, is on duty most days around the city of

Chester. But the soldiers marching behind him are schoolchildren

brandishing plastic shields, and he spends a lot of time being

photographed with businessmen.

To put on his uniform, Caduras, whose real name is Ciggie Williams, 61, has to take a deep breath.  

“Can you hold yourself in, please?” his boss Paul Harston tells him, as he fastens the shining plates of armour together with strips of leather.

Harston, himself a re-enactment enthusiast, founded his company Roman Tours Ltd ten years ago. Since then, the company has taken school parties, families and executive groups around the Roman sites of Chester, home to Britain’s largest stone amphitheatre.

The Romans came to Chester in 79 AD, and built a fortress which they named Deva, after the River Dee.

Up to 30,000 children take part in tours each year, Harston said. Activities are designed to complement the British school curriculum, but are also meant to be fun. Throughout the day, the cries of a long-dead civilisation can be heard on the streets of this bustling north-western city.

 “Sin! Sin! Sin, Dex, Sin!” excited children shout as they march in formation, using the Latin abbreviations for ‘sinister, dexter’ – left and right.

Although the swords, shields and helmets they give to schoolchildren are made of plastic, staff costumes are as accurate and authentic as possible. The company also makes clothing and equipment changes to keep up with the latest academic thinking.

 “When a child says to you ‘Is that real?’ you can say ‘Yes, have a feel, this is really what they wore,” says Christopher Dunn, 27, holding up the edge of his deep red woollen tunic. Like those of his colleagues, Dunn’s Roman name, Titus Pompeius Corus, comes from a Roman tombstone found near Chester.

Harston believes his company’s emphasis on historical accuracy is key.

“What also develops a deeper storyline to our talks is that if we’re wearing what they wore, we are suffering or benefiting as they would have, as well,” he said.

The staff found, for example, that dipping their tunics into cold water before putting their armour on top was a good way of keeping cool in hot summers, and they are careful to point out that the only reason their socks are made out of rabbit and not hare-fur, is that they have to comply with current animal protection laws.

But because Roman Tours also perform regular battle re-enactments, it’s not just the uniforms that provoke debate among the staff.

“I’d definitely use my rudius in a fight,” says Ciggie, placing a heavily tattooed arm on the handle of one of two swords dangling from his belt. Some historians believe the rudius, a hand-carved wooden sword, was only used for training, never in battle.

But authenticity has a price. Stretched Achilles’ tendons caused by flat-soled sandals are common, and the weight of the armour combined with the weapons gives all of them backache. This means they are forced to adapt their uniforms as their predecessors would have done, and gives them a sense what it must have felt like to be a real, serving soldier.

“When I am hot, they were hot. When I am cold, they were cold,” Harston said.