Find out what the Romans did for us at York Roman Festival with the publication of the festival guide.

The festival proper starts on Friday 17 June and runs all weekend but there are some preview films on Tuesday 14 June as well in conjunction with City Screen and York Museums Trust.

As this year is the 1,800th anniversary of the death of Emperor Septimius Severus in York the two short films involving students at York College take a look at the Roman legacy in York and the African roots of some of the city's ruling inhabitants.

Most of York Roman Festival takes place at Gray's Court with its Living History camp, and at The Black Swan Inn.

Highlights include a play based on Harry Martindale's Roman ghosts story on the Friday night, and the auction and slave auction on Saturday night. There are some fabulous lots for which you can bid, worth hundreds of pounds, donated by generous sponsors, and you can support the festival yourself and maybe nab a bargain!

The festival concludes, with a resounding answer to what the Romans ever did for us, on Sunday night with Monty Python's LIFE OF BRIAN (15) at City Screen.

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