Jaine Blackman enjoys life with the Romans as history is brought back to life Gandam-style

There are not many times or places when you turn round and find a Roman centurian stood next to you at the bar.

But for 10 days a year in Cartagena in south-eastern Spain it’s a common occurance as the town becomes packed with men in skirts. Not to mention barbarians, warlords, senators, dancing girls, Amazons and mercenaries from across the globe. The Carthaginians and Romans Festival – held annually in September – is based on one of the most important historical periods for the town. From about 600BC the area was inhabited by the Carthagnians, originally from modern day Lebanon.

By 300BC the Romans wanted to take control of their trading routes and embarked on the 1st Punic War. They were fought off and agreed to a truce. Peace reigned for 80 years, until 219BC when the Carthagnians attacked one of the Roman settlements. Then two years later Hannibal, departed on his famous journey over the Alps with 37 elephants, 100,000 infantry and 12,000 horsemen to attack Rome and claim it for the Carthagnian.

The Romans took their chance, invaded and conquered Cartagena during the 2nd Punic War.

Parts of the story are re-enacted each day during the festival, culminating in a huge battle and a parade through the town.

Around 4,000 people take part in what is a true spectacular.

There’s a huge walled grassy area where some of the battles are held and the port is also used. Walking through the town is like taking a trip back in time, around any corner you may bump in to an ancient Brit or a vestal virgin.

On a press visit to last year’s event we witnessed the impressive final battle of Kart Hadasht featuring explosions, arrows, 30ft walls being scaled, horses thundering past “dead bodies” of the fallen and no end of unsheathed weapons that would have had health and safety officials in the UK rushing to stop the show.

Fast, dangerous and extremely exciting – it certainly brought history to life.

And it’s a massive affair. After the battle we watched the participants march, dance, tumble and caper through the streets.

The legionnaires were, well, legion.

Group after group proudly strutted their stuff, many accompanied by striking drum beats.

It was quite a show, with stilt walkers, acrobats and fire-eaters among the floats and strictly choreographed marching troops.

Smart spectators had cleverly bagged pavement tables outside bars and restaurants, to watch the parade pass by.

There was a real carnival atmosphere with participants giving out sweets – and wine!

And the fun had only just begun.

Associations meet all year to create their authentic costumes and base camps. A Festival Camp is located in the football stadium and the re-enactment societies have headquarters ranging from temple facades to the Roman senate.

There’s also an artesian and craft market and locally produced traditional food and drink.

The headquarters also house temporary bars and discos... and those historical characters certainly know how to party.

After the parade, it’s back to the camp to eat, drink, dance and be very merry into the early hours of the morning.

When we left at 5am, things were still in full flow.

And impressive as the battle re-enactment was, for real entertainment you can’t beat a bunch of centurians dancing Gandam-style.