The Roman fair in Orange

Roman Arausio

The Roman theatre in Orange was built early in the 1st century AD. It served the Roman colony of Arausio, established by the soldiers of the second legion. Listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO, the theatre is the most well preserved Roman theatre in all of Europe. It is one of few Roman theatres which still retains the back wall – the Scaenae frons – at the rear of the stage.

The structure was restored in 1869 and the theatre is now owned by the municipality of Orange. It is well-known as the home of the summer opera festival, the Chorégies d’Orange.

The two day fair

September is a particularly good time to visit the theatre as it plays host over two days to a Roman festival. Over one hundred passionate amateurs reenact aspects of Roman life by paying tribute to the veterans of the second legion.

We accompanied some of our visitors to the festival on Sunday 10 September. It was a fantastic opportunity for students of Roman history. Hopefully our photographs give some indication of the colour and realism of the reenactments.

You can find more information about the theatre on the official website here www.theatre-antique.com

Testudo

The testudo (tortoise) formation, offering protection from the enemy's projectiles.

Dignitaries

Roman dignitaries taking centre stage in the theatre.

Saggitarius

An archer recruited from the Gallic population.

Close combat

Infantrymen used the shield not only for protection but also to push against the opponent.

Gladius

The gladius - the infantryman's primary weapon.

Marching

Roman legionaries in marching formation.

Helmet

Roman infantry wearing helmet.

Attacking

Part of the defensive formation opens up to allow an infantryman to launch an attack.

Gallic

A spear carrier recruited from the Gallic population.

Digitaries

Roman dignitaries awaiting entertainment in the theatre.

Testudo - moving

The tortoise formation on the move.

Charon

Badly wounded but still living gladiators (the noxii -sentenced to death) would receive a fatal blow to the head with a massive hammer inflicted by a man dressed like Charon, the Ferryman of the Underworld.

Scaenae frons

The Orange theatre is one of few Roman theatres which still retains the Scaenae frons, at the rear of the stage, though stripped of its elaborate decoration

Centurian

A senior officer of the Roman army. Most centurions commanded groups of centuries of around 80 men,

Santons – a Provençal Christmas tradition

We took a short trip today to our neighbouring medieval village of Seguret to experience a Provençal tradition – the December exhibition of santons.

These santons (Provençal: “santouns,” or “little saints”) are small, detailed, hand-painted terracotta nativity figurines representing various characters from Provençal village, life such as the shepherd, the woodcutter, and the chestnut seller. They are depicted on their way to the Nativity with their humble offerings, and are generally wearing 19th-century dress.

The first clay santons were created by Marseillais artisan Lagnel (1761-1822) during the French Revolution when churches were forcibly closed and their nativity scenes prohibited.

A maker of santons is a santonnier and the creation of santons today remains a family craft, handed down from parents to children.

It was a wonderful way to spend an hour on a Sunday afternoon!

Vaison and music

Every three years Vaison-la-Romaine plays host to over five thousand singers and musicians from all over the world in the ‘Choralies’. No matter that the 2016 Choralie finished last week: there are always impromptu musical performances in Vaison. This gitans quartet entertained Tuesday market-goers with their own infectious brand of manouche jazz. Django and Stéphane would have been proud.

A gitan quartet in Vaison — Impromptu manouche jazz