YEAR 4 pupils were invited to take part in a two day Roman extravaganza at Okehampton Primary School that featured pretend battle training and a day of cultural immersion.

The children played members of the local Celtic tribe; Dumnonii, during the period of Roman invasion in 1st century Britain.

In their enactment, they were visited by a Roman legionnaire, a messenger who proposed the tribe either stood and fought or joined the Roman Empire.

After a tense tribal debate the tribe chose to accept the legionnaire’s proposal. They were armoured and trained in Roman combat strategies, and practised formations and marching.

After a period training the tribe were ready for battle. They marched and were met by fierce opponents. But, with their new training, skills and tactics they successfully beat the enemy.

During their make-believe training the children also learned about Roman weapons, and practised archery and using slingshots.

They also learned about culture through hands on activities, such as dressing up and handling genuine Roman artefacts. They learned about Roman trade, coinage and material luxuries.

A spokesperson from the school said that the children thoroughly enjoyed the day and gained a sense of how Britain changed following the Roman invasion.