I am shocked and devastated at Simon’s passing.  He was a wonderful colleague who I will greatly miss, and I am sure that many others will do so as well.  He was a brilliant academic who reached the highest heights in his field. He was unfailiingly polite and good humoured, and simply a great colleague.   I have many memories of him, but perhaps my favourite is joining him in Italy. for a conference at the British School in Rome.  My role was to convey a strong sense of the University of Southampton’s support for the activities that Simon was leading on the curation of the Portus site.  Simon was masterful, in what was clearly quite a political environment.  His fluent Italian and the respect in which he was held by all present was very impressive.  My reward for supporting Simon was a personal guided tour of Portus, which is indeed extraordinary and is a continuing testament to Simon’s vision and dedication.  I am also very grateful for Simon’s service as an Associate Dean for Research and also for his leadership in the Faculty and now School of Humanities preparation for the Research Excellence Framework.  The preparation has been meticulous, and I have no doubt that the School and its constituent disciplines will have a good outcome, significanty due to Simon’s efforts.  It will take quite a while to come to terms with our loss of Simon.  I am sure that this is a feeling shared by all who knew him.  His close friends and family should all know how highly we regarded him and valued him as a friend and colleague.  He will be greatly missed.