Bestselling author inspires pupils

Exeter School celebrated the Ides of March, the day Julius Caesar met his end, with a visit by a bestselling author of books about the Romans. 

Ben Kane, who has been writing bestsellers about Roman soldiers and gladiators for ten years now, appeared at the school on 15 March dressed as a Roman soldier, bringing with him a complete legionary's equipment: boots, shield, chain mail, helmet and the dreaded gladius, the Roman short sword. 

Pupils enjoyed trying the helmet and shield for size and there were some near misses with the sword.  Ben then gave a fascinating talk about his life.  Born in Kenya and raised in Ireland, he travelled the world with a backpack, and then became a vet. 

One night, after one call-out too many, he took the plunge to become a full-time writer, and some twenty books later, he finds himself telling audiences why the Romans have always fascinated him, and inspiring young people to become writers. 

Ben lives in Somerset and this was his first visit to Exeter School, where he spoke to a mixed audience at lunchtime and then ran a special session on 'Life in the Roman Army' for pupils studying Latin and Classical Civilisation for GCSE.

Latin teacher Nick Keyes said their essays are expected to get more lively!