Ursus

I deleted some of the useless banter stemming from that Spartacus fellow. Unfortunately I could not also delete the first post. I also removed about half the thread to its own topic. Let's keep this thread related to the historic use of the vestal virgins. The split topic can be used to discuss other issues pertaining to the reconstruction of ancient faiths. Thanks.

In addition to the offices listed on that link, one might also mention the princeps senatus - the first senator, or speaker, who spoke first on all motions, and from which Augustus derived his title as princeps.

Hm. Archaeology is already a word formed out of strong Greek roots. As the Romans themselves were apt to borrow their intellectual disciplines from the Greeks, I say just leave it alone. I have to say the the Roman archaeology folder is one of the things that caught my eye and induced me to stay when I first saw it.

This is what I had in mind. You have singlehandedly rescued this abortion of a thread, Pax Orbis Furius. You are my hero and new favorite member.

The first episode starts out relatively promising and then becomes progressively worse with each successive episode. I completely skipped the last two episodes. I did get a kick out of the guy that played Cassius. He is amusing in a cynical way. It's not a BBC production. It was produced by ABC, the american network owned by Disney.

FWIW, my alma mater offers a classics program with courses in history, languages and archaeology: http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/clst/ They also offer some type of special scholarship program to education majors. Makes me wish I hadn't majored in political science.

I used to be something of a roleplayer and creative writer. If I had more time I might join Roma Victor. But I don't. As for UNRV, it's obviously grown leaps and bounds over whatever it's original premise was. It's shaping up to be the premier Romanophile site on the web.

Welcome to the Hora Postilla Thermae - the After Hours Baths. Here you may have discussions that would be considered off topic on other forums. This is the place to socialize with other members and relax in an informal setting. Please be advised that normal site rules still apply. Posts deemed untasteful or belligerent can be locked at the discretion of the forum moderators.

FWIW, I thought the intro thread made more sense in this folder.

I do believe it was still restricted in some religious cults, like the cult of Set.

Ok, how's this: you're an educated Greek slave serving on the household staff of some patrician, and you actually have it better than many starving freedmen.

Hmmm. I wonder if that guy is the religious expert I knew briefly from SVR. Could be. But in the particular post you linked to, he seems to be arguing that the specific divination rituals used to found Rome (according to legend) were different from the Etruscan rituals. That could be true for all I know, I'm not an expert on Etruscan augury. To be honest I really don't care either way since it's just a legend and I don't take it at face value. But to say Etruria exerted no influence would be incorrect, I think. The first pantheon of Rome was headed by Jupiter, Mars and Quirinius. The second pantheon was headed by Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. Grouping three deities in the same temple isn't a Latin practice and it isn't a Greek practice - it seems to have been an Etruscan practice.

The following is not meant to be a definitive essay, but a primer for anyone seeking a basic understanding, especially the inquisitive students who so frequently visit our halls these days. Sources Much like the Celts, what we know of the Etruscans must be puzzled together from archaeology and contemporary Greco-Roman references. The Greeks regarded them as economic competitors, and the Romans were their upstart subjects. Hardly objective sources, the Etruscans must speak for themselves from their material culture. Unfortunately not a great deal survives. The Roman interest in Etruscan culture was confined primarily to the religious and funerary. Other traces of Etruscan culture gradually faded away under Roman dominion. Until the mysterious Etruscan language is completely deciphered, we can receive only impressions. Origins The beginnings of Etruscan culture is shrouded in obscurity, and conjectures attempting to explain it could make for their own essay. It will suffice for our purposes to summarize the two main theories: they either migrated somewhere from the east (probably Asia Minor) or they were an indigenous phenomenon. What is obvious is they were not an Indo-European people, but the Etruscans were not the only tribe in Italy to have this distinction. From the mists of genesis we can say there was a semi-nomadic

Well, if we're to have en ethics board, how about: "Via Romana, the Roman Way - discuss the morality and efficacy of the Roman approach to life."

The Orthodox Church which commands unhealthy influence in Greece has not been noted to preserve Greece's Pagan heritage. They should remain in Britain.

I don't know what the deal is, Onasander, but as time goes on your posts become increasingly dramatic and left field. How about laying off whatever it is you're on? Thanks.

I like it too, but some devout Christians might reasonably object to discussing Christianity in a Temple to Jupiter. I guess we'll see. I'm not sure I ever liked having a separate folder for ethics and morality. That was a concession to You-Know-Who where we had to defend Roman civilization from someone who regarded it his duty in life to slander it.

I like both of your suggestions. As far as the ill used mod forum, it could be "consistorium" or "comites" ... heh.

For my own part I'm not terribly concerned with what Caesar or Augustus did or did not do with their sexual organs. They were great men, great Romans, and that is what matters to me.

A smiley doing the Roman salute would be cool ...

Don't imbibe too much. You want to be around to see your 51st.

I like it. Maybe "suggestion and feedback" can become "comitia" or some such ... something to express the idea of an assembly. While we're at it, you need to change my title of "enforcer" to something suitably Roman. Praetorian .. Vigiles ... Lictor? I'm open to suggestions.

I'm glad someone else liked it as well. I hope to see more Roman history books from him. I just hope he can shed his obvious pro-Republican bias.

Happy 50th to Pertinax, and congrats to his promotion to equestrian status.

To anyone who shed tears, sweat and blood for a cause or homeland worth honoring, Ave et Gratias.