Ursus

Pecunia non olet.

While not a Romanophilia film per se, "The Life of Brian" certainly has to be mentioned as at least a foot note here.

"That's another complaint of mine, too much use of this prefix pre.... It's all over the language now. pre this, pre that..... place the turkey in a preheated oven.... it's ridiculous... there are only two states an oven can possibly exist in, heated or unheated.... preheated is a meaningless f***ing term... that's like pre-recorded, this program was pre-recorded, well of course it was pre-recorded, when else you gonna record it, afterwards? That

Well, regardless of the deficiencies of the test, I think it accurately pegs me. http://www.politicalcompass.org/printableg...8&soc=-1.03 Within the American context, I see a limited government in all spheres as doing the least amount of damage, as I care nothing for the cultural militants on either the right and the left. But, and I hope I don't offend anyone, neither do I embrace Rand's dry, didactic and militantly atheistic philosophy.

I rather think the most successive empires are forged for mostly defensive purposes. Look at Rome: an empire was forged simply by absorbing the territories of local rivals (the definition of "local" becoming ever broader as strategic theatres enlarged): Etruscans, Italians, Celts, Hellenistic powers, Carthaginians. Likewise I rather think the major powers of Europe have to unify for their own relevance. In the face of the rising powers of the Asia/Pacific rim, an increasingly militant Islamic world, and to achieve parity with the US, the Franco-Germanic Europe better aspire to lofty heights or find itself increasingly a footnote to history.

Here, I think this quiz is a bit more comprehensive. http://www.politicalcompass.org/

The collapse of the Republic, its causes and aftermaths, its moral dimensions, is a source of endless debate around here and always will be. Having read Holland's two books (Rubicon, Persian Fire), one gets the sense he has an axe to grind against current events, and tries to link history as much as possible to current events. Even Holland admits later in the preface that comparisons between America and Rome are a cliche - but he has no problem milking the cliche (Pompei's campaign against the pirates is entitled "The War on Terror", for instance). So regardless of the issues surrounding the fall of the Republic, realize that Holland may have a deeper agenda.

100, 100 --- but this so-called test was very shallow.

I have direct tv, and am thinking of canceling it. Most of the channels are worthless, in my opinion. Even the history channel and sci-fi channel have gone down the tubes in re cent years.

It is safe to say that they were a minority, but numerous enough to be noticed when they behaved contrary to cultural norms. I know that is not exactly a stunning analysis, but I think it's the best one you'll ever get with the available evidence.

On Sunday I read "Cleopatra" by Pat Southern. A fair read. Expect a review.

I like your taste in food. Let's do lunch some time. Cheers.

Nice review, M.

Congratulations, fine young scholar in the making. I am glad to hear of your progress.

The Smithsonian and the National Art Gallery were my favorites, but they have already been suggested. Have a great trip!

In contrast to whom, precisely? Cultured Greeks who dutifully slaughtered each other over petty turf wars? Celts and Germans for whom petty raids was a way of life? A Persian empire no less warlike in approach? I must be missing something, but who cares what Rome did to its neighbors? Within its own borders, certain parts of Britain perhaps excepted, it did a rather fine job of turning subjects into citizens.

I finished reading Roman Art: From Romulus to Constantine. I rather enjoyed it, but I bought a cheap used copy. Not sure I'd pay full sticker price for it.

There seems to be a glut of Caesar biographies lately. Cato must be throwing fits.

I am pleased to see that two of Clarke's books made it to the top 5. http://www.unrv.com/book-review/bestselling-may-04.php

But does one really need a homage to 1950's B movies? I'm thinking no.... I'll wait till my cousin gets the dvd in a few months.

http://www.unrv.com/book-review/background...hristianity.php

I think the used books sections of Amazon would be your best bet.

Thanks for the review. I had been worried that is exactly what would happen. I can now skip it.

It was my pleasure. I know little about the Big 3 and yet we've been working together for 3 years. It was educational. I'd definitely like to meet them, as well as other leading members of the site. The proposed American UNRV meet never materialized, but perhaps some day.