Romans vs. Barbarians

all of the eastern girls at scarborough

Another morning full of lectures was coupled by an afternoon visiting a national park and an evening on the coast of the Northern Sea. At the national park, we examined the land on which a fort once stood by noting the ditches that outlined the usual “playing card” shape of the fort walls. We even played “Romans and Barbarians,” acting out scenarios of Barbarians attempting to penetrate the Roman gates. Professor Ottaway used this to illustrate firsthand just how affective seemingly simple defenses like ditches with uneven sides or narrowing entryways of land were in keeping out unwanted troops. All twenty-eight of us twenty-year-olds had a blast playing make-believe and throwing stick javelins (and better understanding Roman military strategy too, of course).

It was in Scarborough that we were along the water that evening. We never got a clear answer whether or not this is the namesake of the folksong and/or the Simon and Garfunkel tune, but we will say it is! Like York, Scarborough has multiple facets of history: on the same plot of land stands a medieval castle and the remains of a Roman “signal tower.” This tower may have been used as a landmark for arriving Roman naval forces but was likely a lookout point for spotting oncoming enemies. After walking through narrow streets occupied by houses wearing different, pretty colored doors, we had a bit of time to eat fresh (and then fried) fish + chips along the tourist-filled boardwalk, which was a hybrid of the boardwalk in Nice, France and the Cherokee County fair – can you imagine? A few of us girls felt as though our digestive systems needed a break from our usual meal of meat and potatoes on bread with a side of potato and opted for a salad (which even had potatoes on it!) and chocolate cake.

roman statue from the yorkshire museum

latin inscription on roman coffin

*Scarborough photo credit: Hannah Halford