I. PURPOSE

 A. The purpose of the Second Legion Adiutrix is the re-creation of various facets of ancient life and warfare in the late 1st Century AD (70 - 100), both for the education of the public and for our own pleasure and edification. We do this by means of historical reenactments and living history demonstrations. The Legion will maintain an active philosophy of public outreach as well as a strong dedication to historical accuracy and continuing research in order to make all of its public displays, private events, and recreational participations as accurate as practical.  The Legion may select a number of military or civilian impressions to be presented (either separately or simultaneously), but all will be based on the best possible research, and prepared according to the Legion's Purpose and guidelines.
       

 II. COMPONENTS AND FUNCTIONS

 A.  At this time the Second Legion Adiutrix is comprised of the Commander and the legionaries. Currently the Commander has absolute authority as regards the Second Legion Adiutrix.

  1a. The Commander will control all functions of the Legion, both administrative and on site, including recruitment; collection of any dues and fees; purchase of equipment, materials, food, and supplies; and definition and enforcement of standards for dress and conduct.

    b. The Commander will select a Civilian Commander, and with them appoint any necessary officers, NCOs, deputies, or councils. The Commander and Civilian Commander (as appropriate) will carry complete authority in all matters on site.

    c. All Members are answerable to the Commander and/or any council appointed. A Council, if and when one is appointed,  will consist of three, five, or seven members.

   2.  A Member is anyone who has been accepted into the Legion and whose dues are paid.

     a. Recruits will be admitted on the basis of their suitability to the Legion's purpose, ideology, and activities. Any person showing interest in joining the Legion is to be referred to the Commander for official recruitment information.  There is no automatic "family" membership--the spouse or other relative of even an established member must meet the qualifications individually.

     b. A Member is considered to be on probation for one year after joining.  By the end of that year the Commander will appoint a council to decide whether that person is to be made a full member, left on probation, or stricken from the roster. Criteria include, but are not limited to, completion of kit, adherence to the Legion's doctrine and guidelines, level of participation, and personal conduct.  A Member may be returned to probation or expelled from the Legion if the Commander and/or council sees fit, according to the same criteria.

     c. A new Member may be required to attend several meetings, workshops, or musters before being permitted to participate publicly. All Members are expected to adhere to the Legion's rules and guidelines, and to obey officers and NCOs, within safe and legal limits.

     d. The rules of any host site, group, or event, as well as State and Federal laws, concerning safety and conduct are to be strictly enforced.  Members are also to avoid any conduct which might damage the reputation of the Legion, or cause any public or private embarrassment.

     e. No one who is not a Member of the Second Legion Adiutrix may perform as part of the Legion.  Likewise, Members should only combine themselves with another organization if they are members of that organization, and in such a case they will be considered to be performing with that group, not with the Legion.

 B.  The Second Legion Adiutrix fulfills its purpose of active living history through a number of guises or impressions.

 1.  Roman legionaries of the last quarter of the first century and early second century AD, including officers, musicians, standard bearers, etc.

 2.  Civilians of the Roman Empire, both female and male, including citizens, non-citizens, and slaves.

3.     Auxiliaries of the Nerviian  Cohorts

4.   Various impressions of other ancient troops or civilians, as the Commander sees fit..

III. UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS.

    Because it takes some time to gather all of the listed gear, we have not placed a definite time frame for its acquisition. However, the gear possessed by each member will dictate at what level they may participate with the Legion. The Armamentarium contains specific information on various items.

A)  MILITARY

     2 - Tunics, appropriate to unit and/or rank (white or red linen or wool)
     1 - Balteus
     1 - Pair Caligae or other appropriate footwear
     1 - Scutum, or clipeus for Auxilia
     1 - Pugio optional for Auxilia
     1 - Helmet, the aquincum type is associated strongly with II Apf though any consistent with the period are acceptable. See Armamentarium.
     1 - Gladius
     1 - Pilum, or spear for Auxilia
     1 - Lorica of either Corbridge A, B, or C, or hamata with or without shoulder doubling, or scales for Centurions.
     1 - Complete marching kit
     1 - Sagum or Paenula, some shade of blue. ie. Not green.
     1 - Focale and sash of appropriate blue shade. See above.

B.)  CIVILIAN:

Appropriate non-military attire

PHILOSOPHY

       The Second Legion Adiutrix is founded on the basis of several points of doctrine, and grants membership only to those people who willingly embrace these ideals.  This will keep the group strong in its purpose since all members will be devoted to the same basic goals and attitudes towards living history re-enactment. Hopefully this will also reduce the amount of factionalism and political squabbling present in almost any organization.

       As stated in the Charter and Bylaws, the Legion performs in various guises and activities for the education of the public.  The active passing of information to whatever audience we have, therefore, is of paramount importance.  When we put on our strange clothes we become teachers, and everyone who passes our way, even another re-enactor, is a possiblel student.  If that student gains no knowledge from us, or receives false information, we have failed in our goal.

       Before ever  we open our mouths, observers will learn any number of things from our appearance and activities.  Our second point of doctrine is therefore historical accuracy and authenticity.  Every feature of our display and every item we carry or wear must be as authentic for time and unit as we can make it.  We depend on continual research to "fine tune" our impression--if new evidence shows that something is inaccurate, inappropriate, or lacking, the error must be corrected.  No aspect of our impression should be considered absolutely proven--merely based upon the best evidence we have to date.

       A look at the Legion's Charter and Bylaws reveals our unusual structure, inspired by that of Legio XX.  It is quite simple: the Commander controls everything, and if and when there is a Council, it will control everything.  There are no elections, no voting rights or conditions, no power struggles, no interminable unit meetings, and no need to worry about who is in charge, nor will there be.  The Commander/Council is in charge:  it defines the Legion's purposes and goals; it produces and enforces standards of authenticity and conduct; it admits members and can expel them; it maintains the Legion's finances, equipment and stocks of supplies; it appoints officers and their responsibilities; and it takes care of all the little things that such groups need to do.

       Membership input is still essential and is quite straightforward.  The Commander is free to see any type of input from the membership whenever they feel the need.  Conversely, the Commander is available to discuss the concerns of any member.  Deciding on a schedule of events is just a matter of finding out which members plan to attend which event.  Quality of participation is more important than quantity of participants or events.

       Members who are unused to "interpreting" for the public will get advice and helpful hints at the Legion's meetings as well as "on the job training" at events.  In addition, all members will be made familiar with the Legion's official interpretation of the general scenario we are carrying out, based on the available evidence.  This will tell who we are and what we are doing, so that we can all give our audience compatible stories and explanations.  The things that we say are as much a part of our impression as the things we wear or carry and must therefore be governed by the same standards of authenticity.  The "official" information will not cover all possible questions, of course, but where it does it must not be contradicted.

       If, after reading all of this information, you are still enthusiastic about joining us, there is one last hurdle--the Commander must decide whether you are suitable for membership or not.  If you have gotten through this information packet without any major problems, there should not be a problem.  Talk to the Commander and ask us about any aspect of our organization or activities, and we will answer you as completely and honestly as we can.  If you seem suitable to us, and we to you, you're in.  We will not beg anyone to join and we will not beg members to stay.  Anyone who finds himself/herself unable to agree with the Legion's point of view is free to go, and we sincerely hope there will be no hard feelings.  Members who prove disruptive or uncooperative may be asked to depart, or they may be expelled at the Commander decision.

       The Legion requires complete agreement from its members, but not exclusive loyalty.  There is no problem with belonging to another re-enactment or living history group.  In fact, many of us are also members of the SCA and various LARP groups.  

GENERAL STANDARDS OF AUTHENTICITY

       The standards of authenticity in the Second Adiutrix come from the following philosophy:  The only acceptable deviation from the actual historical conditions of those persons whom the group is portraying are for reasons of safety (to members and/or the public), and the personal physical appearance of the re-enactors' bodies.  Additionally, only those items of equipment and clothing appropriate to the individual that the member is portraying will be allowed.  All requests to introduce non-period items to the display, or exclude period items and activities, will be evaluated against this philosophy.

        Since our period of study represents  the 30 years after formation of the legion from Marines of the Ravenna fleet, we are breaking with some well -loved traditions. The most noticeable of these is the design painted upon the scuta. There is no absolute proof for this design aside from a tombstone for one of the troopers. We see no reason to change this as a peculiarity of sea-going troops appears to be what some might term an inordinate amount of pride  in what they are.  Other preferences to do with this are brass or bronze helms, shield bosses, and so forth. Latten tends to be more resistant to the sea than iron. Practicality and the fact that we are indeed portraying the legion while it is still mostly the same Marines that formed it lets me indulge in this speculation. We do not have a problem with iron, but far and away the preference is for latten metals.

       Clothing and equipment should be as authentic as possible, but within practical limits.  Exposed stitching must be done by hand, but fabric does not have to be hand-woven or dyed with period dyes.  Weapons and armor do not need to be hand-forged, but stainless steel is forbidden. 

       Generally, our historical impression will be maintained and enforced during those times when the public has access to ourselves and our camp.  Outside of these times, members are free to bring on site whatever bedding, food, or other gear (historical or modern) you might want, and you may dress, eat, and sleep however you like.  Please bear in mind that you are still "participating" with the Legion, and refrain from any activities which might be unsafe and/or damaging to the group's reputation.

       Thirty minutes before we again go public, all inappropriate miscellanea must be out of the demonstration area.

       It is expected that these guidelines and limits will cause some questions.  If in doubt, ask about a situation or piece of equipment before an event.

       Some specific exceptions are outlined below.  This is not an exhaustive list, nor is that the intent; rather this serves to demonstrate the spirit of the unit's philosophy regarding authenticity.

SAFETY

       All members will adhere strictly the units (and site's) weapon safety regulations at all times.  Some sites forbid handling of weapons by the public.  Otherwise, visitors may handle a weapon if a participant is agreeable and keeps a hand on it.

       A first aid kit of sufficient size and materials to treat minor injuries will be present with the unit, and will be immediately available for use.  It will be contained discreetly in a container made of period materials.

       No coolers or ice chests will be permitted in camp.  Perishable foods requiring refrigeration will not be stored in camp, but, if determined to be necessary for the event, are to be stored in vehicles and brought into camp immediately prior to consumption.  If summer conditions are sufficiently hazardous that it is judged necessary to have ice available, the commander will make allowances for its storage, preferably by the host site's personnel and in their facilities. How this is achieved can vary between groups and events.

       In extreme cold conditions, non-period clothing may be worn by members, provided it is worn under approved period clothing and is not visible. This clause is intended mainly for new members who lack sufficient period clothing for cold-weather survival.

       Essential personal effects, such as keys, medication, etc., should be kept in a drawstring bag inside the tunic or pack.  The first aid kit might also be used for storing such items, but ask the commander and be aware of security risks.  Any vital items such as medic alert tags will be worn under the individual's clothing, and the commander will be alerted to the situation.

       A member will be "on duty" in the camp area at all times during public hours, to provide general security over weapons and personal gear.
 

PERSONAL APPEARANCE

       No restrictions on the physical appearances of members’ bodies are made, provided there is no dramatic clash with the natural appearance of human beings in general (no spiked green Mohawks, please).  Restrictions on height, weight, or gender are not made, but the nature of the demonstrations and tactical exercises which the troops are expected to perform can be quite strenuous.  Many members find it necessary to run and/or perform other aerobic exercises in order to stay in decent shape and avoid injury.  Persons who are simply physically unable to play the role of a soldier would do well to consider civilian portrayals.

       No eyeglasses may be worn during public hours, in or near the display or demonstration area.  Contact lenses are highly recommended.

       Members are encouraged to wear their hair, including facial hair, in a style appropriate to the persons whom they are portraying.  Appropriate headgear may disguise some inappropriate hair styles.

       Any jewelry which is not appropriate to the impression must not be worn.  This includes wrist watches, non-period rings (especially for soldiers), etc.
 

CONDUCT

       Members portraying soldiers are expected to act as such, obeying orders and maintaining strict discipline while in ranks or in tactical situations.  Civilians are subject to the authority of a Commander-appointed civilian commander, who will not necessarily be the highest-ranking civilian.  ANY member may (and should) call attention to a potential safety hazard.