News

Warriors from Across Time Converge on Kennesaw

09/12/2007

KENNESAW, GA � From Roman Legionaries through modern day soldiers, history's most celebrated - and most feared - warriors will demonstrate the evolution of warfare through the ages during History of War: A Military Timeline, September 29 - 30 at the Southern Museum in Kennesaw.

"While people normally expect to see Civil War soldiers at the Southern Museum, we thought it would be exciting to trace how soldiers and warfare evolved from ancient times to the present," explained Southern Museum Lead Interpreter Harper Harris, himself a Civil War living historian.

The event, which will include soldiers from many different time periods has been a group effort, with other metro-Atlanta living historians pitching in to recruit soldiers to participate in the event. Jesse Bailey, who portrays a variety of soldiers, from Norse (Viking) and Norman to Saxon and Civil War, has been a key organizer of the event.

Bailey, whose group, Conroy Fitz Osborne, is part of a larger dark ages living history organization called Vikings North America, is planning to participate in the timeline as a Norse soldier, while members, who hail from as far away as Virginia, will portray Norman and Saxon warriors. The group portrays soldiers from the 9th to the 11th century.

The living historians make most of their own clothing, but turn to Britain, where dark ages re-enactments were born, for weapons.

"The wealthy soldiers had swords - they were a status symbol. The basic peasant warrior would have a 7 - 8 foot spear and shield. They also made use of bows and swords. The Norse soldiers also used a single-headed axe," Bailey explained.

A whole cottage industry has sprung up around the living historians, with people making uniforms and weaponry. For the Vikings North American, most people turn to Britain's Paul Binns for their swords.

Like the dark ages warriors, most Roman Legionaries, including Col. Edge Gibbons' 11th Legion, turn to small vendors for their arms, but Gibbons said sometimes they further customize weapons they buy.

"We often modify the weapons we buy to make them more historically accurate," he said.

He said the Romans used three main weapons. A long javelin throwing spear was used to break up the enemy's formation before face to face contact, then a 20-inch sword was wielded for hand to hand combat. The soldiers would aim low - for stomachs and thighs beneath shields. A 9-inch dagger completed the legionaries' weaponry.

Accuracy is important to the group. "Our organization focuses on the first century AD. It was one of the high points of Roman army in terms of professionalism and confidence. Also, it was one of the most documented, so it's easier to do the research and ensure our equipment, tactics, techniques, and procedures are as accurate as we can make them," he explained.

Gibbons, who is relatively new to being a living historian, has always been fascinated by the Roman army. "I'm a professional soldier in an all volunteer army. They were a professional army and all volunteer. From that perspective they share a lot of the ethos and professionalism and dedication that the US Army today has. The more I research, the more similarities I find than differences in the two organizations," he said.

The event will be held at the Kennesaw Depot September 29 from 10 AM - 5 PM and September 30 from 12 PM - 4 PM. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children 4 - 12, free for children 3 and under. The weekend will also highlight several historic and current military vehicles courtesy of the National Guard and the Georgia Military Vehicle Preservation Association.

For more information, contact the Education Department at (770) 427-2117, extension 3177, or education@southernmuseum.org.

A Smithsonian Institution affiliate, the Southern Museum features collections of rare Civil War weapons, uniforms, and other personal items; an exciting exhibit about The Great Locomotive Chase, including a short movie; a full-scale replica of a locomotive factory that helped rebuild the South after the war; and through May, a traveling exhibit featuring photographs of the people who dedicated their lives to the railroad.

The Southern Museum is located 20 miles north of Atlanta, off I-75 at exit 273. Click here for visitor information, or call (770) 427-2117.