Book offers insight into living in the Roman city

A NEW book inspired by recent discoveries is aiming to educate children about Leicester’s Roman heritage.

Life in the Roman World: Roman Leicester imagines the experiences and responses of ordinary people living in the town during the four centuries of Roman rule.

It uses a combination of stories, art and archaeological research to explore everyday life and discusses topics such as conflict, social inequality, multiculturalism, migration, diet, disease and death.

The book was written by Dr Giacomo Savani and associate professor Sarah Scott, from the University of Leicester’s School of Archaeology and Ancient History, along with Mathew Morris, of University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS).

Mathew said: “We hope the book will give children, and anyone with an interest in the city’s past, a new and exciting understanding of its rich and diverse archaeological heritage.”

As part of creating the book and associated resources, the authors worked with teachers and pupils from schools across Leicester.

Dr Scott said: “We really enjoyed working with pupils and teachers to write the book and resources.

“More than 1,500 pupils in Leicester schools have been introduced to life in Roman Leicester so far, and we look forward to engaging with many more schools in the new year.”

The authors said Leicester was examined in detail because it is one of the most excavated urban centres in Britain and the evidence shows it was a vibrant multicultural centre from its earliest phases.

The book is linked to a new resource for teachers entitled Life in the Roman World: Ratae Corieltavorum, Roman Leicester by Jane Ainsworth, Giacomo Savani and Katherine Taylor, which includes session plans, activities and worksheets.

Free copies of the book will be distributed to schools in Leicester.

To coincide with the book and classroom resource, the theme of the second Artefact to Art competition is Roman Britain.

The competition, organised by the School of Archaeology and Ancient History, focuses on encouraging young people to create art inspired by material objects from classical antiquity.

The competition is divided into three age groups: Under 11, 11 to 14, and 15 to 18.

Children can submit art, poetry or short stories. Winners of each category get the chance to attend a creative masterclass with a professional artist, poet or author.

The closing date is March 22. To find out more, visit the competition website: