Ursus

I have a copy of Cameron's book. Has to be a re-print.

Having read the whole thing, I can only once again praise Fagles' translation. I am on record as saying the Aeneid is not as good as the two works on which it was modeled, and I stand by that opinion. However, Fagles' rendition makes it a near thing. He has a gift to turn epic poetry into something beautiful for the English ear. The introduction by Bernard Knox is noteworthy. He describes an experience where he, as an Allied officer, marches through Mussolini's war torn Italy and encounters a copy of the Aeneid, and decides to dedicate his life to the classics should he survive his mission. It was a touching moment.

I doubt it. Kondratiev, as far as I know, is a linguist and cultural scholar with Russian roots but who fell in love with Celtic culture and is involved in the "Celtic Revivalist" movement.

Land, Sea and Sky

Most of the examples that Bryaxis Hecatee cites in his post are religious in nature, and I think this is the key to understanding the Roman mentality. When it came to other cultures, the aspect the Romans had the most reverence for was religion. This grew out of the Roman superstition to not do anything that might incite the wrath of a deity.

I love a good non-white bread. But I'm too lazy to bake it myself.

Has anybody noticed a lot of recent books dealing with prostitution in Ancient Rome? I wonder what the sudden interest is.

Unlike the Celts, we have a good idea of what Greek and Roman religious rites were, as the Mediterreanean cultures actually recorded their affairs in writing. However ... things are not quite as they appear when it comes to those groups in Greece. They seem to take a rather Orphic view of things (The Orphics are a historically attested cult, but they were a mystical fringe cult at best). Furthermore, a lot of these Greek pagans seem to have a very Nationalist view of things, which means their religion is tinged with a good bit of ethnic politics. A lot of us Greco-Roman pagans over here in the States have concluded those groups aren't really reviving the religion of ancient, mainstream Hellas so much as they are inventing a religion suitable for post-Cold War ethnic identity politics. Nonetheless I feel they should have the freedom to do as they please. The Greek Orthodox Church has a frightening amount of restrictive influence over there. PS - since this is about a modern group's slant on Ancient religion, rather than an actual ancient religion per se, I think it best to move this thread to the Afterhours forum.

I would expect these qualities only of someone already secure in their position, not those actively trying to procure it. These high minded virtues might win one a popularity contest, but not a throne. Octavian was a gangster before he became The Augustus.

That's the point - it has to be decided. The "Roman Days" event is held outside DC in Prince George's County, Maryland (not the nicest place in the world). I was hoping someone could suggest an alternative, especially if it is in a safer neighborhood.

Ave, Imperator. Sorry for the misfortune. This is what happens when you neglect daily devotions to Vesta and the Lares. We hope to see you soon housed in a glorious new villa befitting of your rank!

Congratulations on your promotion, G. Octavius. Please keep your superiors in Rome appraised of Nephele's skills as a courtesan. If she proves to be of sufficiently high quality, the praetor urbanus may snatch her away from you. I am sure she would better enjoy the comfort of the splendors of Rome than the trappings of a camp commander!

3 books in, Fagles new translation is superb. Even better perhaps than his rendition of Homer.

These things just cycle. Around 15 years ago I can remember a "Storm of the Century" where five feet of snow had the entire area shut in for 2 days.

Yeah, go ahead. I'm sure the chicks will dig it.

Glad to hear the second season is still quality work. As I am bereft of HBO, I'll just have to wait for the DVD. *sigh*.

Ok, it was pretty much decided Easterners and Westerners will have their own affairs. You Westerners seem to be agreeable to the idea of a Vegas meeting - but you should start making plans now. As for the Easterners, we need some ideas. There is a "Roman Days" event held outside DC, but it is rather early in the summer. I can't find much else going on, but then I am not exactly a reenactment groupie. If anyone has any ideas, throw them out.

I'm going to move this to the Latin subforum where it may get more answers.

I believe it was first used by the Princeps Senatus, the Senator who spoke first on all motions. I can't find any sources though...

Hadrian was a Hellenophile in general, but I'm not sure if he was beholden to a particular philosopher. Marcus Aurelius was the Stoic philosopher. And the later Julian was something of a Neoplatonist.

I don't believe the Romans, aside from a few Hellenophobes, hated philosophy. They merely had a cultural mindset that valued pragmatism above speculation. Only educated Romans would have become well acquainted with Hellenic philosophy. Even among them, the emphasis was on the practical application of ethics rather than more abstract areas such as metaphysics. Stoicism as its core believes the only good is virtue, the only evil is vice, and everything else in the world is indifferent. Stoics believed in the passionless performance of one's duty. Duty had always been the central Roman concept; it is not then surprising that Stoicism was the most successful of the Hellenic philosophies in Rome. As far as Pythagoras, his mystical cult was always on the fringes of Greco-Roman society. Philosophy generally existed in tandem with religion rather than as a replacement to it. Religion was about cultic practice to propitiate supernatural powers, and generally did not proscribe a moral worldview or an ontology of the cosmos. Those that wanted such things could turn to a philosophy as they saw fit (or not). Even the educated Romans who internalized a philosophy still paid a certain decorum to the cultic religion of the common people.

Probably the best place to ask would be IMBAS, a Celtic revivalist organization that has several noted linguists.

Sage wisdom always brings a tear to my eye.

I would like to see how Augustus could reform American government while still paying lip service to the Constitution.

Ah, well, I'm dating an 18 year old girl. But a 15 year old boy would be not to my taste.