Ursus

Sorry you had to go through that. But, well, I honestly feel safer with some token security procedures in place. Worth a little inconvenience, IMO, to make sure the sons of Jihad can't waltz blithely onto a plane.

Hmmm. There are maybe 40 people who post more than once in a blue moon. The rest are lurkers. I wouldn't worry about the official stats too much.

The information on Mithra from that article seems to have been taken, sometimes almost verbatim, from the works of Franz Cumont (died 1947). Yeah, his work on Mithras was dated 1903. http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/mom/index.htm Still a fascinating read, though!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/a...ure/8110010.stm

Oh, did they? More or less. In 66 AD, Tiridates of Armenia was crowned at Rome by Nero; he declared that he had come "in order to revere you [Nero] as Mithras" (Dio 63.5.2). According to Pliny (Natural History 30.1.6), Tiridates "initiated him [Nero] into magical feasts". Julian "the Apostate" (died 363) is considered by some scholars (eg, Bidez and Athanassiadi) to have regularly worshipped Mithras. Robert Turcan can't find much evidence that Senators and above had much to do with Mithraism. The vast amount of epigraphic dedications to Mithras come from common soldiers, imperial slaves, and low ranking clerks. Even if Nero and Julian were initiated in some kind of Mithraic mysteries (which some scholars doubt), that's only two out of many. It may be that the ruling classes approved of the cult, given how much it seemed to promote traditional Roman values and loyalty to the empire. But their direct involvement in the cult seems to be minimal, at least as far as the archaeological record is concerned.

Maybe that was the point though. Perhaps it was designed to be ironic? I could be wrong, though. Can't say I ever followed Mr. Floyd. But I keep hearing one of his albums keeps perfect time with Wizard of Oz, I may have to try it someday.

Very nice!

Yeah, whoever wrote the article was relying on scholarship from over 100 years ago. I'm just glad they found the relief.

Funny that you mention this, in the ancient Jewish sources the Roman emperor is often called a "King". It's seem that some of the people which lived under the empire rule were also confused on this subject. While Caesar wasn't a Princeps some ancient authors like Suetonius saw his as the founder the imperial power in Rome. I also believe the Greeks referred to Roman emperors as Basileus, which means king or sovereign.

We have that in North America, too. In fact, even on this forum we occasionally get people who feel the better part of intellectualism is denigrating everything that is Western (pre-Marx, anyway). They eventually leave once they find out most of us actually like Roman history.

http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Cultu...=3.0.3437120414

The Romans were the most violent and expansionist society on earth who beat up on their peaceful neighbors. Those culture loving Greeks and tree hugging Celts didn't have a violent bone in their body, and Rome was a big bully who ran roughshod over their pristine, peace loving cultures. http://www.unrv.com/book-review/mediterranean-anarchy.php

An excellent question. I've always been in favor of spending government dollars here on earth where they can do more good. NASA sometimes comes off as welfare for engineers. However, I submit the Western world leaving a void for China to fill is not a good thing.... In any event, my main problem is the presumption that America most go it alone. By 2025, America will probably lose its superpower status and just be one great power among several other great powers. I think it, the EU and Japan need to learn to share the costs and the glory of any future space endeavors.

Starting next year, America to be out of the space game for 5 years. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8106247.stm What do you think? Is it worth building a moon base? Going to Mars? If it is, can't America, the EU and Japan jointly share the costs and the glory?

That is true. But the danger is that ancient history can then become nothing but an extension of someone's modern politics rather than seeing the Romans and the Greeks in their own terms.

Why, thank you, Decimus. My birthday saw me with an uncertain economic future, but at least I'm no longer tied down to a job I abhorred.

Caesar never saw a Celt in his life? Even when he was covered in their blood after numerous battles?

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/20...op-circles.html

Tell me about it. The Western lifestyle of fast food and no exercise has yet to fully take root.

I would like you, my friends, to take one second out of your busy day, and ponder on the less fortunate, the oppressed, and your fellow man in general (or fellow woman, in this case). Apparently the evil establishment in Ukraine shuts off the hot water in the summer for whatever outdated Soviet-era reason. And the exploited populace must, out of civil disobedience, take the bold step of donning a bikini and splashing around in public pools. Yes, that's right. These sweet, innocent and idealistic young women are forced out of depravation to ignore their studies and defy their state. They must sadly humiliate themselves by removing the majority of their clothing and displaying their nubile bodies to passers-by as a means of attracting attention for their cause. I feel for these poor, young girls, comrades. But I am moved by their struggle to stick it to The Man. In the name of freedom fighters everywhere, I say we support them. I think female college students across the world should show their support for their sisters' cause by also donning bikinis and splashing around in public fountains. We must not let the Ukrainian government get away with their foul deeds! http://www.comcast.net/video/bikini-protes...ast/1150966855/

http://weadmire.net/product.aspx?productid...CFSQMDQodVja4qA

You can find lots of articles and reviews here Ancient Rome: A Military and Political History by MacKay is an excellent book for beginners.

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news...il/article.html

Yes, it's not like we read any books that have been written longer than 20 years ago. Um, well I like up to date books with the latest discoveries and methods. But whatever works for you. Here's a thought - you could always write a book review on your century old textbooks and why they are, in your view, better. UNRV loves book reviews.

In the center of the manuscript it looks like an eagle perching on a shield. A coat of arms? Very late Roman or Medieval, methinks.