The Romans may have been ruthless, but also built enduring structures like Hadrian's Wall. Photo courtesy Tyne & Wear Museums

Children were told just how ‘rotten’ and ‘ruthless’ the Romans really were on August 26 2005 as Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum welcomed Horrible Histories author Terry Deary.

The event was part of an initiative called Reading Voyage, promoted by the Reading Agency. Segedunum joined forces with Wallsend Library for three days of activities and talks from August 24-26 2005, which were attended by over 320 people.

On the final day lucky visitors were able to listen to talks by Sunderland-born author Deary on his two recent Roman books – The Rotten Romans and The Ruthless Romans.

Both books contain a variety of gruesome and funny facts about the Romans, who used to occupy the site at Wallsend, the eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall.

Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths and Museum shows what it was like in north-east Britain in Roman times. Photo courtesy Tyne & Wear Museums

Included in the reasons why the Romans were so ruthless is a list of Evil Emperors featuring Valentinian I who kept a cage of man-eating bears near his bedroom where he could watch his enemies being eaten alive.

“I think the Romans were awful people,” Terry told the 24 Hour Museum. “The Romans were absolutely disgusting, they were the only people in history who actually went along and watched people killed for sport."

“They really deserve to be classed as the most awful people in history – Romans and teachers.”

Despite Terry’s arguments, the staff at Segedunum are keen to show visitors the more civilised side of the Roman empire – although they didn’t comment on teachers.

Terry Deary (no that's not him in the picture) talked about his latest books on the Romans, showing their 'rotten' and 'ruthless' sides. Photo courtesy Tyne & Wear Museums

“Terry Deary is quite biased with the Rotten Romans and the Ruthless Romans,” argued Geoff Woodward, curator at Segedunum. “Obviously they had their gruesome and barbaric side but there were a lot of good points about the Romans."

“The museum can show people a broader view of the Romans, not just the horrible things but their daily lives and achievements as well.”

Children who took part in the events had also attended a reading challenge at Wallsend library and marched down to Segedunum accompanied by a Roman soldier in full costume.

The activities were made possible by funding from the Renaissance North East Museums Hub and were organised in partnership with local libraries.

Alastair Smith is the 24 Hour Museum Renaissance Student Writer in the North East region. Renaissance is the groundbreaking initiative to transform England's regional museums, led by MLA, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.