‘I, Tweetus’: Roman Life Retold

‘It is 5am in the morning, it's dark and cold, we are leaving Deva (Chester) for the wild Northern lands.’

This was the first Tweet, at the end of October, from Twitter character ‘I, Tweetus’, created by experts on Roman history at Tulllie House Museum and Art Gallery in Carlisle, Cumbria.’ I, Tweetus’ is a virtual 26-year-old Roman legionary sent to Britain by order of Emperor Vespasian called Marcus Julius Latinus. This winter, he recounts, via Twitter, his everyday experiences, 1,938 years ago, in the winter of AD 72/73, on his journey north to the area where Carlisle now stands.  

Further information about ‘I, Tweetus’ is available on the website of Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, iRomans. The website explores the history of Roman Cumbria and the northern frontier of Hadrian’s Wall and notably features an interactive map of Hadrian’s Wall, which enables users to find out about Roman sites and forts across Cumbria and the artefacts discovered there. As well as sections about the Roman forts built along the wall such as Birdoswald, Stanwix and Burgh by Sands, the website features thematic pages providing background information about Emperor Hadrian and trade and commerce, for example.

You can follow Marcus Julius Latinus on Twitter @iTweetus.