Robust fighting legions that were revered the world over, political organizations that set an early stage for today's modern lawmakers and a penchant for food -- they're all characteristics that helped define ancient Roman society.

Last week, students at Creekside Middle School had a chance to see what life could have held for them had they been Romans some 2,000 years ago.

Presented by Legion XIIII, a historical interpretation group out of Hertfordshire, England, the preteens learned about life for rich and poor, men and women -- and came out happy they were 21st century children.

Using period costumes and props, Antonia Sabina, as a former slave woman, and Marcus Cassius -- who insists that's his real name -- representing a Legion soldier, explained the finer points of Roman life.

The gross-out factor was high, as the students learned that while ancient Romans may have had strong armies, they had some strange-by-modern-day ideas on hygiene.

Sabina explained how sea sponges were used in place of today's Charmin -- worse yet, how the sponges were rinsed out and reused.

And to kill germs and ward off bad breath, Romans would gargle their own 3-day-old urine that had been placed in glass jars until it had turned into ammonia. Rich Romans, it seems, believed Spanish urine was even more effective and so would send away for the stuff.

That gives minty fresh a whole new meaning.

Still, the presentation was a big hit with the sixth-grade class.

"I thought it was cool because you got to see how things were," said Chloe Bruckman, 12.

Tyler Hobbs, 12, who had been designated as the "slave" for the presentation, was impressed by what he learned from the interpretive group.

"I thought it was neat how they put chains around my neck," Hobbs said, though he's glad he was only acting. "I don't like serving people."

The live presentation was much better than a classroom discussion or video, he said.

"It was interesting," the sixth-grader said. "They brought it to life."

Cassius, an archaeologist by trade, started Legion XIIII about 13 years ago after a teacher friend asked him to give a presentation to a class.

The idea grew from there so that today interpreters not only represent ancient Rome, but ancient Greeks and Celtic tribes, too.

Cassius estimates the group gives about 500 school presentations annually.

In addition to classroom talks, Cassius also has been asked to consult on movies such as "The Gladiator," starring Russell Crowe.

Teacher Sheri Seifert helped bring Legion to Creekside.

She knew the show was a success when she heard from fellow teachers that the kids were chatting up the presentation.

"They were all talking about the mouthwash today," Seifert said. "By the students' reaction and that of other teachers, we would definitely have them again."