Elena Rosin – HSIE/Jewish Life Teacher

Year 7 History – Battle of the Contubernia

“Hastiti (infantry): Attention! Testudo (formation), return to orb; form a wedge, now prepare to battle.  Left, right, left right, CHARGE!”

On Thursday 30 November, all Year 7 students met in the Colosseum (MPH) to stage a battle of the winning Contubernium (platoon) from each History class. The students have been studying Ancient Rome and as a way of gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of the military to that early civilisation, they created and practised their own legations. There were 4 winning teams, each containing hastiti, (soldiers) a Decanus (chief) and a gladiator. The groups, wielding shields, foam swords and even helmets, presented their formations to the entire year and the winning team earned a box of Mr Bell’s homemade Roman sweets as well as medallions honouring their skill. The 2017 winners were Ms Adelstein’s group, ably led by Decanus Anna Davis. Part of the task was to offer a military explanation of their tactics. As Decanus Anna said,

As Decanus, in each activity I have been placed in charge of training the most inexperienced soldiers from some of the most backwater provinces of the Roman Empire. In the beginning, some of them couldn’t tell Carthaginian elephants from proper Roman soldiers, and during the process we suffered deserters and legionaries leaving due to injury. But, with proper discipline I have managed to instil some basic Roman training into them. We started with marching, as good order and organisation are of vital value of the empire. After supposedly reaching a combat site we spread into the skirmishing formation to engage in battle. In the case of near defeat or surroundment it is vital we keep fighting, so next we curved back into an orb, to defend from all sides. This manoeuvre requires precise co-ordination. Next, we went through two key defence formations; the testudo, named for its turtle like appearance and repel cavalry, the defence against horses. Finally, the contubernium formed a wedge, as to go on the offensive against an opposing army. Hopefully, these young hastiti will be prepared to face their first battle with glory and bring victory to the mighty Roman empire.

The runners up were Ms Rosin’s team, led by Decanus Myles Cohn. This Contubernium was a skilful and lively group of hastiti, and a crowd favourite, but Decanus Anna’s determined leadership and erudite interpretation of their moves won the day.

After the presentation of the Contubernia, Year 7s were treated to a Roman feast. They were able to eat their fill of bread, cheese, honey, grapes and of course, how could this be a Roman feast without Garum, the ubiquitous Roman seasoning?  The only Roman item missing was the Vomitorium!

Year 7 has produced a relevant and exciting Performance of Understanding for each topic studied this year. The students have eagerly participated in each activity and have enjoyed this experiential way of learning. They are currently creating i-movies on a chosen topic about Ancient China, such as Confucianism, Terra Cotta Warriors, Emperor Qin Shi Haung Xi, and so forth. Ms Adelstein, Mr Bell and I will miss our lively and enthusiastic young learners. It has been a wonderful year and we wish everyone a Feriae Conceptivae (happy holiday and wonderful break).