Ursus

But what exactly do you want this increased "democracy" for? I don't think members need to be elected with a title to lead the forums on some subject in which they have an interest or expertise. And what does Spartacus have to do with this? He was banned for repeated examples of extreme lack of etiquette. If we had put it to a vote the site membership at large would have banned him a long time before the Triumvirs finally did, as unpopular as he was.

The Celts might argue that one has to write down everything to be considered a civilization.

Now that I'm moderator, I can send the section of this argument dealing with modern politics to the afterhours lounge where it belongs. Actually, I'm just sending the whole thing to the afterhours lounge since it was in some sense hijacked.

I would say both Roman Catholicism and Roman Paganism are, in their own ways, spiritual reflections of the Roman legalistic mentality ..... So again, despite being "religious" in some sense, I had to vote for law. Anyway, if one votes for Christianity in general (as opposed to Catholicism in particular) the Hellenistic East deserves as much credit, perhaps more.

We already have a "Senate." Members who make outstanding contributions are nominated by the Triumvirs to the rank of Patrician. The Patricians have a private forum. They are honored with monthly book give-a-ways. They have the privilege of discussion with the administration and moderating team. And new moderators are drawn from their ranks as needed. As I see it, this is not really needed. Those who can make special contributions can continue to do so without being elected by their peers. Those who have earned the distinction will become Patricians and are entitled to the honor due senior members. I've always felt that Primus Pilus and Viggin were the Consuls while Moonlapse is, uh, Proconsul of the technical province. And before anyone mentions it, I don't think we need Tribunes either. Plebians though some of you are, you're hardly oppressed.

I voted "law" but that's a bit confining for me. I would say Rome's greatest legacy is the idea of a universal empire where everyone can play along. At least if they're rich.

I''m really not commenting on the African- Japanese topic. It's a separate issue from this topic which I really don't care about one way or another. What I gave you, Leg, is just scratching the surface. It's difficult to summarize a lengthy theory in a few sentences. Nevertheless it's a theory that's being hashed out in academic circles. If you are conversant with the theory and dismiss it, that's one thing. Since you don't seem to be conversant with the theory, I merely suggested a good textbook for your own edification. Whether you read it or not is your own affair. But dismissing a widespread academic theory wholesale without bothering to explore it is, as Pantagathus implied, a bit over the top.

Against the combined might of the legions he would have lost sooner or later, especially given the internal divisions of his "army."

Hinduism evolved out of the older Vedic religion. The Vedic religion had much in common with other Indo-European Religions including: 1) a special religious caste, like the Celtic Druids or Roman Flamines 2) An emphasis on natural spirits 3) the sacrifice of animals The people who practiced the Vedic religion were an offshoot of the Indo-Aryans, who were themselves offshoots of the proto-Indo-Europeans. Yes, the theory that that all Indo-Europeans have an ultimate ancestor is just a theory, but it's one that has quite a bit of linguistic and cultural evidence. Really, I don't think the general thrust of the theory is debated so much as some of the various specific details and competing theories. Again, I can only recommend _In Search of the Indo-Europeans_ by Mallory as a good starting point for all this.

You have to brush up on Indo-European studies, Leg. I suggest J. P Mallory.

Please direct all gaming questions to the Colloseum forum. And while we're at it, let's not mistake a computer game as a template for history.

The Vedic peoples and the Italians were both offshoots of an older Indo-European society. You can see certain similarities in those cultures and religions as they had a common ancestor. There was a collision of Buddhism with one of the Hellenistic states near India. That Hellenistic state did not last long, so there was little chance of Buddhism penetrating the Greco-Roman conscious. Though, arguably, aspects of Stoicism are similar to Buddhism.

Who exactly are these "conservatives" that are trying to "bait" you into doing something? We're asking for clarification because we don't understand you half the time. Start making sense or I'll be forced to place your posts on moderated status.

I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, wargamer, but your posts are becoming increasingly strange.

Roman Books I. Non-Fiction 1. Biographies 2. History and politics a. Republic b. Empire 3.Military and Warfare 4. Religion, Mythology and Philosophy 5. Latin and its literature (including translations and textbooks) 6. Geography and Atlases 7. Economy and Trade 8. Everyday Life and Culture II. Fiction 1. historical fiction 2. adventure 3. mystery 4. alternate history 5 etc. etc. etc. III. Media 1) Computer Games 2) Board games 3) DVD/VHS

I like the British. They have character. But they almost have to in order to endure their cooking.

Pepsi should have stuck to prostituting Britney Spears. In any event, my favorite scene in the movie is when Crassus is addressing the Senate and the troops before the final fight with Spartacus. That's my idea of a Roman magistrate.

Just a bit of fun, Tobias. I've seen Romanophile sites where people actually do believe they are heirs to the Senators and magistrates of Rome. If I get like that, feel free to shoot me.

I wish they would take Salvation Army bell ringers and hang them upside down. Those people can be freakin' annoying when you're trying to shop.

I have a growing interest in the Celts as well. I suppose the Romano-British would be the most relevant topic for our purposes. Anyone with expertise in the area is strongly encouraged to post articles or book reviews.

You forgot to mention the ancient cult of Festivus! The general merry making and presents come from Saturnalia. The date near the Winter Solstice comes from the Birth of the Invincible Sun. And I believe Germanic Heathens used to decorate a tree in their festival of Yule, only I believe they pinned sacrificed animal parts on the tree. I'll see if I can get more information from Heathens, if anyone really cares.

This thread bumped for Flavius, who requested something on the Greeks besides the Phalanx versus Legion thread.

Happy Birthday to our 13 year old Equestrian, Sextus Roscius.

I don't believe there was an official cult, no. But certainly Celts in the service of Rome would still honor their tribal gods. After the Antonine Constitution those Celt's would have been technically Roman as well....

This sort of militant postmodern cynicism and deconstruction regarding the ethics of the Roman Empire and its primary players is not welcomed with open arms on this forum. Certainly debate is encouraged, but we've seen people before itching to lecture us Romanophiles on the litany of alleged evils of our cultural forebears. They tend not to last long. No one, after all, came to this site to listen to sermons. I strongly echo the suggestion, Cato, that you direct your deconstruction of Roman morality to the Ethics forum, where that sort of thing is allowed a certain indulgence. Otherwise, the administration and the majority of members really do not care to long entertain that particular venue of debate.