The Trimontium Trust & Museum

01/09/2026

On the first of in ancient , would be held for & . With Jupiter Tonans ("the Thunderer") on the temple & Juno Regina on the hill. Jupiter was King of the gods and God of the sky & diurnal thunder, while Juno was Queen of the gods & the Goddess of Marriage & childbirth. She was strongly associated with the beginning of each month.

Below are two items found at or near :

1) Intaglio of Jupiter seated on the throne with Victory, a sceptre & an eagle. It dates to 80 - 180 AD.

2) Reverse of a coin reading IVNONI REGINAE. It features Juno holding a patera & a sceptre, with a by her feet.
It was made in a Roman mint around the second century & found on Synton Hill at , near Trimontium, by a metal detectorist in 2011. The coin is currently on display at Museum!

01/09/2026

Today marks ! Founded in 2014, it encourages the old-fashioned method of writing a letter to a loved one instead of dashing out a message on a screen. Of course, in days, those that could write had no alternative to a handwritten note. Much evidence exists & different materials were used, but the Tablets discovered in 1973 are special as apparently they are the first known examples of ink being used.

The letters were written on thin wooden tablets about the size of a postcard, and the writing was not in the usual capital letters found on inscriptions, but in a cursive style that varied from writer to writer. The tablets that were possible to transcribe contain a range of subject matter. As well as letters requesting orders from senior officers (& more beer!), some give information about the different roles performed by men at the fort. However, one of the best known is an invitation to a birthday party sent by the wife of a commander from a nearby fort.

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1) Tablet 343: Letter from Octavius to Candidus regarding supplies of wheat, hides and sinews.
2) Example of Old Roman cursive script.
3) Birthday invitation to Sulpicia Lepidina, ref Tab. Vindol. II 291.

01/09/2026

Happy September! 😃🍇

Once the 7th month in the year (from 'septem' meaning 'seven') & originally with just 29 days, it gained an extra day in the Julian reforms of 46BC & became the 9th month. In some Eastern provinces, the year began with September, & it marked the start of the imperial tax year. In art, September was represented by the grape —as shown in this mosaic.

A large portion of the month was devoted to the Ludi Romani—the 'Roman Games', dedicated to . These were the oldest Roman games, originating in 509 BC, with theatrical performances, chariot races & public feasting stretching across most of the month.

No less than six were born in —alongside a giant of the Republic:

🔹 Pompey (29 September, 106 BC) – general, statesman & rival of Caesar
🔹 Augustus (23 September, 63 BC) – founder of the Empire
🔹 Vitellius (1 September, 15 AD)
🔹 Trajan (18 September, 53 AD)
🔹 Antoninus Pius (19 September, 86 AD)
🔹 Aurelian (9 September, 214 AD)
🔹 Honorius (9 September, 384 AD)

Follow throughout September as we share major Roman happenings from this month—plus tidbits about Roman & Iron Age history, insights into our collection, & the fascinating story of Trimontium & Roman Scotland.

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Mosaic depicting September, 2 people pressing grapes. Detail, Mosaic of the Months, House of the Months, Thysdrus (modern El Djem, Tunisia), 3rd century CE.

31/08/2026

🎂 A remarkable coincidence on this day: 31 August marks the birthdays of two of Rome's most controversial emperors!

was born 31 August AD 12 at Antium—son of the celebrated general Germanicus & Agrippina the Elder (granddaughter of Augustus). His nickname meant "little boot," given by his father's soldiers when he wore a miniature soldier's uniform on the Rhine frontier. He reigned AD 37–41 before assassination ended his rule.

arrived 149 years later on the same date—31 August AD 161 in Lanuvium. Son of the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius, he broke from the tradition of wise rule that had defined the era.

Neither was beloved by their subjects. Both claimed divinity, demanding worship as living gods. But Commodus took it further—he appeared in the arena dressed as Hercules, wielding a club & wearing a lion-skin headdress, declaring himself the incarnate hero god. Ancient sources called them mad & tyrannical; although modern historians debate how much was propaganda versus reality.

The parallels stretch beyond their shared birthday. Both met violent ends at the hands of conspirators close to them—Caligula stabbed by his own Praetorian Guard, Commodus strangled in his bath by his wrestling coach after a poisoning attempt failed. Each became a symbol of imperial excess: Caligula for the Julio-Claudians' descent into infamy (although recovered by Claudius' reign), Commodus for the abrupt end of a century of stable rule under the "Five Good Emperors."

Two emperors, one birthday, similar fates, different consequences. The imperial office could never guarantee succession... nor peace.

What do you make of these historical echoes? 🏛️

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1) Bust of Commodus, Getty.
2) Bust of Caligula Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Photo credit: Louis Le Grand, CC
3) Bust of Caligula, Ny Carslbeg, Glyptotek, Photo credit: Ole Haupt, CC
4) Bust of Commodus as Hercules, Musei Capitolini.

30/08/2026

Today marks . 🌊

Whilst beaches are a place of relaxation today, it wasn't always the case. In , vacations were restricted to the wealthy upper classes as travel was expensive. Idleness was considered a weakness—relaxation should involve bettering oneself, So vacations tended to be spent visiting cultural sites, temples, or seeking medical help.

Also, a tan was taboo! Skin untouched by the sun signalled you didn't work outdoors—it was a marker of class. Tanned skin suggested labouring in the fields or at sea, so the elite proudly avoided the sun.

Wealthy left the heat of the city in summer & retreated to villas either on the coast or in the countryside. One infamous coastal retreat was the ancient town of on the Gulf of Naples. It was notorious for corruption, scandals & hedonism. the Younger described it as a "vortex of luxury" & a "harbour of vice".

Times have changed—in fact, the tide has turned completely. Where Romans shunned tans as a mark of toil, today a sun-kissed glow often signals you've had time off work & can afford a holiday. Fashion & class signals reverse across the centuries!

And just as Romans valued their seaside escapes, we share a responsibility to protect these spaces for future generations. Our own have hidden gems like Spittal, Coldingham Sands & Eyemouth—beautiful often undiscovered by tourists. Time to celebrate & protect them.

After a particularly hot & sunny summer, our beaches have been well used & need a good clean up to avoid ecological damage from any rubbish left lying around. So if you find yourself anywhere near the coast, why not join in with a beach clean?

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1) Coldingham Bay, Scottish Borders
2) Thermal baths of the sector of Sosandra, Baiae

30/08/2026

What a fantastic day we had at 2026! 🏳️‍🌈

Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by our stall in the Volunteer Hall—we loved chatting with you about 📖 q***r histories,🎨 Making mosaic jewellery 🏺 exploring Roman artefacts, & sharing information about inclusive volunteer opportunities & the archaeology work of the Trust.

It's part of our mission to make sure everyone feels welcome here, because history is for everyone—and everyone is represented in history. 🌈

Grateful to the organisers for creating such a safe, inspiring day. Can't wait for next year!

Visit us online or drop by the museum to carry the conversation forward.

28/08/2026

Trimontium is thrilled to join the first ever event! 🏳️‍🌈

Spot us marching in the parade, and come visit our stall at the Volunteer Hall. We'd love to meet you!

📖 Discover q***r Roman stories
🎨 Make your own mosaic rainbow jewellery
🏺 Explore some Roman artefacts
🛡 Try on a Roman helmet
🤲 Learn about volunteering opportunities
👋 Or just stop by and say "hello!"

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Remember to join us on Saturday!

28/08/2026

🌞🌕 Happy Circenses! 28 August.

Today, the headed to the to celebrate & —sun & moon deities whose rising & setting marked the seasons for sowing & harvest.

About 30 chariot races (missus) thundered around the track, held under the gaze of their shared temple, which already called an "old shrine" (vetus aedem) in the 1st century AD. Sol rode a four-horse quadriga across the sky, while Luna's chariot was a big often drawn by two oxen —a perfect celestial pairing.

The scholar counted them among Rome's 12 principal "visible gods," watching their courses for the farming year. By the 3rd century, these games had grown into a major spectacle.

Rome recognised the sun & moon as constant & influential presences in daily life.

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1-2) Details showing Sol driving his horse-drawn quadriga and Luna her oxen-drawn b**a, from a larger relief depicting a Mithraic rite. Late 3rd C. Photo by Carole Raddato, CC.
3) Sol on a disk, 2nd century. Photo by Sailko, CC.
4) Detail of a statue of Luna

28/08/2026

Did you know the had a sweet tooth? Let's revive an ancient sweet treat and cook like a Roman! This modernised recipe is courtesy of Sally Grainger in her book ‘Cooking Apicius; Roman Recipes for Today”. The original can be found in Apicius' De Re Coquinaria (7.11.6)

Deep Fried Honey Fritters

400ml goat’s or sheep’s milk
2tbsp olive oil
100g plain white flour
100g sieved wholemeal flour
250ml olive oil for frying
100g runny honey
Freshly ground black pepper

Ready?

Put the milk and oil in a pan to heat, then sieve the two flours together and into the milk. Beat until a mass forms, and continue for a few more minutes to cook out before removing from the pan to form into a disc and cool completely. Then cut into 2cm squares and prepare the oil to fry by gently heating it, keeping temperature between medium and low as needed. Place one square into the bottom of the oil until it takes on colour, indicating the oil is ready, then place in some more depending on the size of your pan. Allow the squares to fry until they take on a golden brown colour, then remove from the bottom of the pan to fry for a few minutes longer before removing onto some kitchen towel. Pour honey over the fried squares while they are still hot, and season with black pepper. Enjoy!

Did you try this recipe? Share photos with us at Trimontium!

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1) Roman floor mosaic showing a young man carrying food on a tray, 2nd century, from Carthage, Tunisia.

27/08/2026

Happy ! 🏛️💧

Today, 27 August, marks the ancient Roman festival dedicated to Volturnus—the deity of waters, fountains & flowing rivers. Originally an Etruscan deity, he was later incorporated into the broader pantheon as Rome absorbed older Italic traditions.

Volturnus was believed to be the father of Juturna, of fountains, wells & springs. Her sacred spring—the Lacus Juturnae—lay just behind the Temple of Castor & Pollux, close to the Temple of Vesta in the Forum Romanum. A place where the city's water supply & ritual cleansing were deeply intertwined.

While Juturna's own festival fell on 11 January (when the fontani, those who maintained Rome's fountains & aqueducts, honoured her), the Volturnalia on this warm late-summer day would have featured rites & sacrifices meant to propitiate the river god—likely including water-related libations & perhaps offerings of fish.

So whether you're sipping something cool today or simply enjoying a drink near running water, consider raising a glass to the ancient Romans who understood just how vital—and divine—flowing water truly was. 🥂

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Ruins of the Temple of Juturna - Largo di Torre Argentina in