HISTORY buffs battled it out like gladiators at quizzes staged as part of the York Roman Festival.

Teams were tested to the maximus at the Olde Starre Inn, in Stonegate, on subjects ranging from the building of Hadrian's Wall to Roman toilet habits.

A specially-formed Roman band, AD/BC, supplied music at the events and contestants tucked into a barbecue which included Barbarian hot dogs and Caesar burgers.

Festival co-organiser and quizmaster Keith Mulhearn said the daily quizzes were a "tremendous success".

"Everyone has had a brilliant time," he said. "The quiz has got less serious as it has gone on."

Meanwhile, the Roman Festival begins in earnest tomorrow with a spooky Spirit Of The Lost Legion spectacular.

Soldiers from York re-enactment group Legio IX will initially take visitors on a tour of the city sights from the perspective of a First Century Roman Legionary.

The tour will then take a scarier turn when it reaches St Helen's Square and the myths of the infamous lost Ninth legion are retold.

Many historians believe that in 117AD the legion, which founded York, marched to Scotland, where they were ambushed and murdered by Barbarians. The legend goes that their bodies were burned and armour melted down so no trace would be found.

Legio IX will then act out the story of Harry Martindale's ghostly experience in the basement of the Treasurer's House in 1953.

Harry was a plumber's mate installing central heating in the cellars when he saw a horse's head mysteriously emerging through a wall, followed by a troop of marching Roman soldiers.

He later discovered the Treasurer's House lay on the route of the old Roman road to the city and the so-called "lost legion" had been sighted before.

Festival co-organiser Nick Eggleton said: "Harry's story is a great one to tell. We will put a fun element into it, but prepare to be scared!"

The lost legion event will conclude with a feast fit for a Roman soldier with authentic cuisine and a glass of beer. The tour starts at 6pm in St Sampson's Square.

For ticket information, phone organisers on 01904 628343 or log-on to the festival website at www.yorkromanfestival.co.uk More than 30,000 people are this weekend expected to attend the festival, which includes a living history camp where people will see how the Romans lived.