The festival, on Saturday August 3, was at Baring Street, and saw people taking part in training exercises and fights in an arena. While poetry sessions, archery classes and jewellery workshops took place around the rest of the grounds of the South Shields Roman fort.
1. Families watch on as battle commenced
The Arbeia Roman Festival included combat demonstrations from trained professionals. Arbeia once guarded the sea port and was the supply base for troops on Hadrian’s Wall Photo: Chris Booth
2. Families watched as combat commenced
Built around AD160, Arbeia, South Shields’ Roman Fort once guarded the entrance to the River Tyne, playing an essential role in the mighty frontier system. Photo: Chris Booth
3. Even the little ones got in on the action
The children were kitted up for battle as James Hobb shows off the gladiator's variety of equipment. Photo: Chris Booth
4. Maintaining the equipment is an important job
Taking the burrs off a sword are Dylan Tams and Dean Paxton, showing the importance of weapon maintenance. Photo: Chris Booth