caldrail

Not so long ago I spoke to a guy from an italian family upon this very subject, about how the italians saw Roman history. The impression I got - admittedly he was a somewhat jaded character himself - was that Roman heritage was a lot of baggage the Italians were not overly keen on. He even suggested there was some resentment against things ancient Roman because of the constant comparisons between then and now. How true is that? Probably there's a certain level of disdain, but I dobelieve like other countries the majority of Italians, even if not specifically interested, are nonetheless aware and proud of that same heritage.

A Game To Remember ================== Ambition can be a costly game to play, so Sestus Maro had been warned before he'd embarked on his political career. This was his first time as Editor of a Munera, the Roman funeral games, officially to honour his elder brother who had fallen in Dacia the year before, but timed to announce his decision to secure a magistracy. Of course the games were hugely expensive, quite beyond his means. Only the wealthiest Romans were able to campaign in politics without debt. The townsfolk of Ceredinum had eagerly gathered in the modest provincial amphitheatre for the chance to be entertained at the hands of professional fighters, the slaying of beasts, and various comedic acts. Perhaps another third had travelled from settlements nearby, swelling the crowd with a lively atmosphere. An anonymous slave attempted valiantly to fill his young masters goblet with wine. Sestus Maro was not paying attention, merely holding out his goblet to expect more refreshment, rocking on his seat as he laughed at the antics of the crowd. Tokens were being thrown randomly to the crowd, promising gifts of food, cash, or slaves, and the struggles of the people to grab one produced almost as much fighting as the gladiators themselves. With his goblet successfully filled against all odds, Sestus promptly lost most of the contents as he guffawed in response to a huge squabble among the townfolk, a knot of angry men of all ages cascading down the seats, all for the promise of a free handout. "Master!" Another slave, Maro's Numenclator, whispered urgently in his ear, "Porcius Pulcher is here". Immediately Sestus cast aside the half empty goblet and rose from his seat to greet his wealthy sponsor. "Quintus! I'm pleased you saw fit to attend." Quintus Porcius Pulcher returned the greeting with a fatherly embrace. He was older, old enough indeed to be the father of Sextus, a grey haired veteran of politics and almost sculpted by exposure to the elements. "Young Sestus, what fool would imagine I would sponsor funeral games and not partake of the thrills? Sometimes I despair of you. I had some last minute business to attend to. And of course, Lucia, who charms everyone..." The wife of Sestus smiled and obliged her husband with a friendly greeting. A Sarmatian by birth, of good family it was said, her swarthy complexion greatly different from the Gallic ladies of Ceredinum. In truth some found her aloof yet her quiet dignity was already proving an asset for Sestus. "You honour me Quintus. Is not your wife with you?" She asked. "Not today, Lucia." Quintus explained with a sigh. "For it would seem I am dogged by scandal.... Yes, it's true, my wife has proven disloyal. Oh come now, I hear the rumours have spread far and wide." "Well, I did hear gossip, Quintus, but I never thought..." "You need not be concerned." He continued, "I discovered this morning that my wife Julia has absconded with a gladiator by the name of Appollodorus." "The retiarius?" Sestus asked quietly, confirmed by Quintus ruefully. He knew full well Julia Pulcher had been less than loyal. She was a difficult woman to ignore. Capricious, persuasive, and self indulgent. Julia enjoyed the risks she took, but to run away? To live as a runaway with an escaped slave? He had never imagine dJulia would take such action, but then, who would? One did not get to know Julia Pulcher, you merely experienced her. "You know for months she'd been visiting the barracks of Rufus Varro?" Quintus carried on, "Who would have thought it? Not just to indulge her passion for a gladiator, but even to train as one. What a fool she's been making of herself and all of us. Shouting and leaping at the practice post like some awkward parody. Can you imagine Julia, fighting for the glory of a palm leaf? Ridiculous." "We're both very sorry to hear of this." Lucia stated in formal sympathy. Quintus smiled, patted her hand, and spoke over his shoulder "You see Sestus? How right you were to bring this jewel back from the East? Anyway, enough of my trials. How are games thus far?" "Better than I had planned", Sestus replied earnestly as a freedman in the audience had the misfortune to fall into the arena. A clown in a lion skin pretended to chase him like a big cat to the hysterics of the audience, until he finally managed to find an opening and escape. With a laugh Sestus continued "Better than I could have hoped. I was trying to rent a certain gladiator but that lanista Rufus Varro wanted a truly extortionate price and wouldn't budge an inch. My commiserations Quintus, but it seems we both know why." "Indeed." Quintus agreed, "No matter. I might be able to assist you further, for I have secured the services of a rather special contestant. An African gladiatrix, Leopardia. Have you heard of her?" Sestus grinned mightily. The prospect of a rare fight between two female gladiators would elevate his games to an event to be remembered. "I have heard of her." "I should think so. The victor of twenty seven fights and dismissed honourably five times. A ferocious woman with the blood of a wild animal they say." Sestus sighed and admited ruefully "But I have no gladiatrix to fight her." "All arranged, Sestus. All arranged. Rufus Varro was only too keen to provide me with a gladiatrix he had been training. He's a greedy man but not stupid. He knew which side of the bread was buttered." "Capua had better watch out." Sestus smiled, "It seems our little town begins to rival them in stature. Quintus, I..." "Can't afford it?" Quintus chuckled again. " Well, I can, and for my young protege, a gift. Two female fighters to delight the crowd. Go on. Announce the contest. I've sent instructions and the two women are waiting. This will be a games to remember! Do it now. The crowd have gotten quiet. They're going to be eating you alive if you don't entertain them soon." "A fight to the first blood then." Sestus suggested quickly, not wishing to appear cruel, nor for that matter, one to selfishly squander the gift of his sponsor.. "Oh no." Insisted Quintus with a strangely cold insistence. Give the crowd the blood they seek. Have our amazons fight for the honour of palm leaves or redemption." Sestus felt powerless to argue. He took a final deep breath, collected his thoughts, and turned to face the audience. With a raised hand he waited for the buzz of conversation to subside. "People of Ceredinum!... I have a suprise contest for your delight!. I call forth... Leopardia of Africa!" The African gladiatrix entered the arena on cue, followed by the referree with his vine staff. She was an exotic sight, dark, oiled, her womanhood at odds with her muscled form. Lifting her sword and shield to prompt the crowd, they responded with suprise and rising levels of anticipation. Shouts of individual wagers began to erupt, men already sensing her confidence and the potential for easy money. An extrovert could be heard proclaiming undying love. Leopardia beckoned her admirer to join her in the arena amid jeers and wolf whistles. The referee tapped the sand with his staff to remind Leopardia to stay professional Sestus quickly turned to ask who the opponent was. Quintus said "Graeculia". The Little Greek Woman? Lucia widened her eyes at the idea, open mouthed at the slur, a direct reference to Julia Pulcher and a deliberate insult to her memory. The contest wasn't just to please the crowd - It was a symbolic punishment of Julia Pulcher's follies. Sestus nodded, feeling somehow this was more significant than he realised. "And challenging the She-Leopard of Africa, from the darkest pits of a Greek slave market, daring to declare herself an equal, Graeculia!" Two burly men escorted Graeculia into the arena, almost lifting the reluctant woman all the way, her expression hidden by the visor of the helmet. Nonetheless the crowd couldn't miss noticing her fear and voiced their derision. Whatever the referee said to her couldn't be heard. His staff was on her shoulder until he'd finished, whereupon he briefly pointed it at her. He urged the two women to quickly salute, Leopardia making a practised formal gesture, Graeculia following with little enthusiasm, the referee stood back and gave a sharp yell to initiate the fight. The crowd quickly became absorbed by this unexpected display. Few voices supported the Greek, and most were watching for the signs of skill and courage. With a few indifferent passes at each other one or two people urged the ladies to get on with it. "Does this fight not please you, Lucia?" Quintus asked. She grimaced and said "Degrading if you ask me. You men get so titillated by these things, you're like little boys sometimes." Quintus chuckled and patted her arm. "It's all for a good cause, my dear." "Oh I know, dearest Quintus." She replied with a knowing glance that suprised even the veteran sponsor. "A very good cause. I hope the Gods favour justice." While Sestus studied the evolving contest, Lucia and Quintus shared a common secret without voicing it. Saying no more, Quintus shifted his weight away and turned to watch the fight as well. Leopardia adopted a florid style, sweeping her sword in wide arcs and pushing her shield at the hapless Graeculia. She was relaxed, patient, letting the Little Greek Woman get back to her feet, and twice, recover her sword. Playing for time, making the fight seem more potent than it should have been, letting the crowd shout praise or insults at every turn. The truth of it was there was little contest, but the skillful Leopardia knew better than to simply slay her opponent. Eventually Graeculia fell upon her back and was too slow in getting up. Even Leopardia could delay no longer, stepping over her defeated opponent to claim a victory, pulling the Greek onto her knees, placing the sword point upon her shoulder, and looking to the rostrum for the decision of the game's Editor. The crowd's reaction was oddly mixed. Many disparaged Graeculia for her lacklustre performance, others praised her persistence. Sestus stood at the front of the rostrum, gauging the crowds mood, more concerned with pleasing them than any real decision on his part. Was that Graeculia's voice calling to him? Was she actually begging for mercy? He suspected so, but couldn't tell. Nor could he easily decide which faction of the crowd held the greater weight. His reluctance to condemn a woman to death spurred angrier voices. The longer he delayed, the less they would think of him. Finally Lucia's patience ran out. She hissed from behind her husband with the least visible sign possible to slay the stupid little Greek. Quintus raised his eyebrows, but nodded when Sestus glanced back for his advice. Immediately the sign for death was given. A female grunt, a dull squelch, and the loser fell honourably to the sand lifeless, her heart pierced from above. Whistles and cheers arose. Sestus could only look down with a compassion he was struggling to understand. With no further comment Lucia left the rostrum with her retinue of attendants. As Graeculia's body was recovered Quintus stood beside his protege and said "Well done. For a moment there I thought you didn't have the stomach for it. A games to remember, as I hoped. Remember also that the story is that my wife absconded with Appollodorus. As for the Little Greek Woman, please ensure she is buried in the gladiators graveyard, where she belongs. We both owe her that much." For the first time a horrible truth was beginning to dawn on Sestus. That was no slave being dragged away to a quiet place where a symbolic figure of the underworld would ensure her end had come and gone. He had ordered the death of Julia Pulcher, dragged from the barracks of Rufus Varro with a helmet to hide her identity, carried into the arena to face execution at the hands of a veteran amazon, brought to judgement by sly conspiracy. Quintus nodded. "Yes. My wife died this day, paying for her fantasies and infidelities. You and I know the truth. So does Rufus Varro, and I believe your wife will make her feelinhs known shortly. Be good to her, especially after..." "That was before I married..." Sestus complained weakly. "I don't want to hear it!" Quintus answered venomously. "A certain retiarius is already dealt with. And the next time you sleep with another man's wife, young man, I won't hesitate to finish the only loose end of this sordid affair. Claim your magistracy and serve the town well. I shall call upon you before long. Well, I must be about my business. Good day to you." Sestus remembered the night Julia claimed him as her victim. An evening of stolen pleasure, one he submitted to in the foolish belief the Gods would look the other way. Now she was his victim. Gone. Nothing more than a trail of blood raked over by arena attendants. Sestus felt used, cheated, soiled by the deed he had been fooled into performing. Oh yes. He would remember.

Do you read more than history. What about Drama? Comnedy? Perhaps you have a story to tell. Post your Roman short story here for evryone to enjoy...

For your perusal I've collated the significant actions of the Praetorians. There may be a line or two missing, especially the less well documented third century. So then... Enjoy... c.47BC - Octavian and Marc Antony divide 8000 troops between them as Praetorian Cohorts. 32BC - Octavian issues a coin in honour of his Praetorians. 31BC - 5 cohorts of Praetorians fight with Octavian at the Battle of Actium. 30BC - Octavian disbands his Spanish Calgurritani bodyguards after Marc Antony is defeated. The Praetorian Guard is founded with 9 cohorts in a symbolic reunification of Julius Caesar's army. Only 3 cohorts are stationed in Rome, the rest dispersed around Italy. 13BC - Length of service for Praetorians set at 12 years. 5BC - Length of service for Praetorians set at 16 years. 2BC - The Praetorian cohorts had been individually led, but Augustus now creates two posts of Praetorian Prefect to be assigned to eligible Equites. 9 - Augustus disbands his German Guard. 12.- Augustus may have raised the number of Praetorian cohorts to 12. He redesignated the last three bodyguard units as Urban Cohorts 14 - Praetorian units and German Guards put down a revolt in Pannonia. 23 - Sejanus concentrates the Guard into a single barrracks in Rome 37/54 - At some point the number of Praetorian cohorts increases to 12. 39 - Caligula leads a Praetorian march in triumph across a temporary bridge of boats in the Bay of Naples. He also took some Praetorian cavalry on a staged skirmish across the Rhine that aroused deriision. 41 - Caligula murdered - Praetorian officers took part in the conspiracy and later set Claudius upon the throne against the desires of the Senate. The German Guard ran riot. 43 - Praetorians follow Claudius to Britain to take surrender of the southern British tribes. 65 - Praetorian officers implicated in the Pisonian Conspiracy against Nero. 68 - Praetorians abandon Nero and sign up with Galba. Galba fails to pay the bribe offered. 69 - Otho bribes Praetorian speculatores to pronounce him Caesar and persuades the rest of the Guard to support him. Galba is killed. The Praetorians defend Otho and are defeated in their first major battle at Cremona. Vitellius disbands the Guard and creates 16 new cohorts. The disbanded old Guard sign up with Vespasian. At the second Battle of Cremona the old Guard defeat the new Guard and Vespasian becomes Caesar. The new Guard and Vespasian's troops form a Praetorian Guard of 9 cohorts. 81/96 - Domitian raised the number to 10 and they stayed at that strength. 80's - Praetorians involved in heavy fighting in Germania and Dacia. 101/102 - Praetorians on campaign in Trajan's First Dacian War. 105/106 - Praetorians on campaign in Trajan's Second Dacian War. 130 - Praetorians follow Hadrian to the Eastern Provinces. 162/166 - Praetorian Guards march with Lucius Verus in the east. 169/175 - Praetorian Guards march with Marcus Aurelius in the north. 178/180 - Praetorian Guards march with Marcus Aurelius in the north. 189 - Cleander orders the Praetorians to slaughter rioters in Rome, and Praetorian cavalry end up fighting Urban Cohorts. 192 - Praetorian officers involved in the plot to kill Commodus. 193 - Pertinax killed by rioting Praetorians. Guard attempt to sell the empire and are replaced by Severus's own men. 197 - Praetorians campaign in Gaul for Septimius Severus 202 - Praetorians campaign in the east for Septimius Severus 208/211 - Praetorians follow Severus Septimius Severus to Britain. 222 - Praetorians get rid of Elagabalus and help install Severus Alexander. The Guard are effectively out of control. 238 - The Praetorian barracks is besieged by angry citizens in Rome. Maximius is killed by his own troops, including Praetorians, for failing to deal with the pretender Gordian. 270/275 - Praetorians on campaign with Aurelius against Palmyra. 297 - Praetorians follow Maximian to Africa. 284/305 - Diocletian may have reduced the size of Praetorian Guard. 305 - Praetorians install Maxentius as Caesar. 311 - Praetorians help defeat the forces of the usurper Domitius Alexander. 312 - Praetorians on the losing side at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (the bridge collapses under them as they retreat fighting). Constantine permanently disbands the Praetorian Guard and demolishes the inner wall of the barracks in Rome, but the office of Praetorian Prefect survives as an administrative post.

A trial was customary, to observe the law and tradition, but also to show the public that the law will punish the guilty. Trials for lowly people were generally quick (and a foregone conclusion), whereas people of status had every opportunity to indulge in litigation. Even if found guilty, it was likely that the man's reasons for treachery would be demanded at some point, and according to our sources the guilty might well speak out defiantly, justified or not. There is one trial concerning a plot against a Byzantine/Eastern emperor which I believe took place in the 4oo or 500's (I would have to look it up). Once found guilty his eeyes were gouged out, his tongue cut out, his limbs chopped off, and he was paraded arouind the town for the pleasure of the townsfolk until he was set adrift in a boat which was set alight. I doubt every traitor was treated so thoroughly, but that was ceratinly what the Roman citizenry was capable of dishing out for traitors.

The regular legions you mean? The Romans did not have a single national army. But yes, you're right, although it was beneficial for officer ranks rather more than the men themselves. The admibnistrative role was no more than any regular legion, and only performed on a case by case basis, nor was it entirely common. There were Praetorian Prefects who by virtue of their relationships with senators and caesars were given more influebnce or duties than ordinarily expected, but that was always the way of things in the Roman empire - it did not imply any official role. Any Roman soldier of any kind of unit sent to spy was classed as speculatores. It was a temporary designation and in no way infers a man was a 'secret agent'. None of them were a unit or class apart. The first two are correct. Comfortable and relatively safe in their barracks in Rome, enjoying shorter service and better pay and bonuses than any other unit in the empire, and often involved in nothing more arduous than sentry duty at the palace, the Praetorians were the envy of legionaries stationed at the frontiers.... Whilst in Rome their principal duty was to mount guard at Augustus's home on the Palatine.... Other duties included escorting the emperor and other members of the imperial family, and if necessary, acting as a sort of riot police.... The Praetorian Guard (Dr Boris Rankov) Rome had no police force. Some of the praetorian cohorts had been seperated and formed the Urban Cohorts, of which three were designated by Augustus in ad12, whose duties were closer to those of a police force, but even they were not so fully engaged unless necessary. There were no specialist intelligence units in Roman times. None. Period. Any man could see with his own eyes and the Romans were customarily prone to gossip and information passing as a rule. Prisoners might be held by anyone so ordered. Praetorians were not specialist gaolers, and for that matter, no were they specialist interrogators. A man being questioned, particularly with a heavy hand, might just as easily be beaten by slaves. The quelling of riots was not a praetorian duty as such. Riots occurred frequently in Rome and generally blew over before anyone had the gumption to do anything. The more serious riot was perhaps another matter, but only when the safety of the dynasty was at stake would the guard be ordered to act, unless of course there was a political motive for the Prefect to show intitiative - but please do realise that Rome had a ruling against the bearing of arms by soldiers in the city, and to send troops in to quell riots not only broke that rule, it also showed that the Caesar needed soldiers to be taken seriously as a politican with brute force - the mark of a weak man and a tyrant. The were not however a regular legion. There's no dispute that pratrians did at times march on campaign, but please realise that a primary reason for seeking service as a Praetorian was that they did less than ordinary legionaries.

The BBC are a major exprter of television programming. Sorry you haven't seen our creative output but then claiming that the English don't speak English rather proves a lack of observation and knowledge of history and linguistics. It's our native tongue, old boy, not yours.

AAARGH!!!!! No. The Praetorian Guard was a military class composed of amalgamated bodyguard units from the civil wars. They had no official intelligence or administration role. As special forces, they were no more effective than any other Roman military formation and not specifically trained in special duties. It is true that they were also conventiently placed to act as intelligence gatherers, but then so were the hordes of slaves in Rome, it was simply a matter of reporting what had been heard (for favours and career progression of course). In fact the Praetorians were well aware of their special status and service in the Praetorians was regarded as a profitable perk. Sort of, although it must be said that Praetorians probably did a lot less soldiering than other legionaries - one of their perks of course, and that the Praetorians were not as well regarded as you appear to believe. remember that in one instance drunken Praetorians killed the Emperor Pertinax and auctioned off the throne to the highest bidder. Although it was usually the Praetorian Prefect who was involved in political plots rather than the Guard as a whole, it was nonetheless a dangerous faction and had been ever since Aelius Sejanus had them barracked together in Rome during the reign of Tiberius. Sadly, nope. No more than any other soldier was and probably less likely than frontier soldiers. They served in a few campaigns to protect a Caesar campaigning in person, which ordinarily did not happen. They probably took part in as many uprisings as they put down. Their main role was to provide security to the imperial dynasty and places where they did business - security at munera and circuses was not a standard function - they would only be tghere to apply security when the Caesar was at the show. Most spectaculars employed officials to deal with troublemakers but then again, there wasn't much security available anyway. Their influence was no different to other legiosn in terms of political awareness and connivance. However, the commander of the Guard was of course well placed to align himself with a faction and certainly this was common enough - Severus had the entire Guard replaced when he mounted his coup.

A fascinating idea that a Roman merchant could have travelled that far, although I suspect the coin went further than the Romans themselves.

it's a matter of budget. Dr Who was woefully underfunded in the early days and whilst it still gets limits applied today, can afford to be somewhat more detailed. Then again modern production methods are better and special effects cheaper and more 'real', especially now that computer rendering and animation can add details via a green screen that were impossible in the 1960's.

No, good grief, I'm talking about the classic Dr Who (http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/), not that modern Cardiff rubbish. The modern series is of a far better production standard, albeit ruined by excruciatingly awful plots and overly insistent music scores. If you want a sci-fi series with the least money spent on stage sets, check out the classic Dr Who. You will never find shoddier special effects ever.

Compared to the sets featured on classic Dr Who, the work done on Stargate was satisfactory. So everyone's a critic? Well, I crticise too occaisionally, but the reality is that tv sets are expensivve so production makes use of whatever they can. For instance, it was recognised on Star Trek NG that if the pilot episode did not feature a scene in the engine room, the set would never be built.

Cornovii. People from Britain as a whole were either referred to by tribal name or more scornfully, 'Brittanculi'. One Roman thought the Britons, or more precisly, the Welsh, were spanish by descent and therefore described them as Albiones.

You can see defensive earthworks all over southern Engkland, some dating from the early Iron Age. A little eroded perhaps, but unmistakeable.

The historical chariots were seriously flimsy and dangerous. Riders wrapped reins around their wrists to prevent losing hold of them, and a knife to cut themselves loose if need be. Boys on the turns at either end would rush toward a chariot and throw water onto the wheels as it careered by, to prevent the chariot from suffering adverse friction, and some of those lads may well have been inadvertantly killed too. There were those who were good at racing chariots mind you. Gaius Appuleius Diocles is known to be the most successful driver with prize money totalling a sizeable 35,000,000 sestercii, or something like a modern equivalent of $15 billion.

Not really. Science fiction and radical archaeology have been distorting ideas for a long time. It is a plot device after all, not some revelationary experience, and Stargate, for all its competent production, is often excruciatingly naive and mawkish - not to mention deliberately irreverent - though in fairness sci-fi television often is. The modern Doctor Who revival exploits that avenue to the breaking point.

Buy yourself a stetson, a whip and have a mate nearby with an old flotplane. Watch out for spears, pits, and big rolling stone balls. Oh. yeah. And the nazi artifact cpollection teams.

Erm... No. Evidence of television viewing and a familiarity with a certain american sci-fi series based on a Hollywood film. This really is Von Daniken style abstraction. I'm sure the hoop has some significance but you shouldn't judge it on a coincidential appearance to an idea cooked up by screenwriters. The relationship of the figures in the scene is important. Notice they're all relaxing - not travelling or fighting evil symbiotic aliens - and that the figure in the hoop appears to be holding it in place rather than expecting a breathless transition to some faraway planet. Also note that the figure is naked in a non-sexual context, whcih suggests something to do with Roman mythology.

Apart from visible omens which the superstitious Romans quickly identified (or ignored at their peril), they weren't quite so into astrology as some cultures. They refer to 'Chaldean Astrologers' sometimes, although I suspect that elements of such beliefs were always on the fashional vanguard or the alternative fringes of Roman society. Because the pagan Romans adopted a more personal client/patron relationship with their unseen deities, treating temples as the atrium's of their chosen gods, interpreting the movements of the heavens wasn't the first action of a devout Roman - it was more likely he would sacrifice and attempt to bargain with a god rather than try to figure out what that god was actually doing to the world. Or at least, so it appears to me, so I suspect that it might be all too easy to apply an incorrect significance with respect to Roman coinage.

There's a strange mood in the town right now, and I suspect, across England, because once again our national football team has failed to reach the heady goal of winning the World Cup. This time they failed to get out of the starting blocks, so I understand, but then I don't have any time for football. Nothing wrong with the game as such, but I resent the expectations that I should be interested and discuss the subject at every opportunity. I don't like the blatant commercialism and outrageous incomes football stars can earn, or for that natter, I remain baffled as to why a bloke who kicks a football for a living can be seen as important as politicians on the world stage. All those national flags displayed in peoples front windows... But I suppose that's nothing other than a sense of disappointment. For David Cameron, it means a major reorganisation of his social diary now that he doesn't have a football team to be seen with at press events. A few less new years honours to promote. Unfortunatetly it also means that David Cameron has more time on his hands, and with busy politicians who like telling the British how to go about their daily lives, it means he'll have time to think up new ways of getting his face on television, and since trampling on the unemployed is his most popular game plan right now, I dare say it'll get worse for those of us who can't afford football tickets. As it happens I'm shortly to be put on a work placement. Unlike previous years where you get a small premium payment to make the idea worthwhile, now I have to work for my benefits. Those of you with well paid jobs will no doubt say that's a good thing. But ask yourself this - would you want to work a thirty hour week for sixty odd pounds? Especially if you want to earn a living instead of dossing at public expense? In a country that's so strident in its call for National Minimum Wages and assistance for those unable to pay their ever increasing bills? Now the Job Centre has warned me that twenty-six week placements are coming soon to a own near you. On the one hand it's a means of engaging those without jobs in some useful social capacity. On the other, the need of a politician to win popularity by forcing those on benefits into what amounts to slave labour. I'm almost willing to support the England soccer team from now on. As much as I hate football, as least a few goals will keep our politicians busy for a while. They Are Working On It. The Old College site is starting to look like a shopping centre now. Not complete you understand, but getting there. At the back, the car park has the metal underlay almost fitted, obscuring the dark interior and presenting a very bright spectacle when the sun gets low in the evening. Won't be long before the muffled thuds and rumbles from the cinema start intruding upon the normal traffic noise and singing contests. I saw a man from Morrisons, one of the supermarket chains that are going to inhabit the site. He stood looking dejected on the traffic island, watching the work in progress. "Give 'em a chance," I told him, "They are working on it." Sex And Violence of the Week The local park is proving to be a popular hoilday destination for alll manner of birds. Geese, ducks, coots, moorhens, pigeons, an assortment of white sea birds, but none of the swans you used to see every year. I watched a flock of geese arrive, circling down in formation and performing a coordinated landing on the water. That made quite a splash. With such a condensed population of birds you might expect the odd confrontation or two, animals being what they are. I watched a goose making a hasty and noisy retreat as another pecked at its tail feathers in furous pursuit. A coot chased a duck continuously, while the duck cleverly evaded its nemesis by swimming underwater in a random direction, the chase resuming once the coot spotted its quarry again. I watched amused as a fat pigeon sidled up to every other female asking for a date, or preferably, a chance to make eggs. He danced and strutted his stuff, but the ladies really didn't take to his display and wandered away. If that pigeon was a human, he'd be arrested as a sex pest. or perhaps given a starring role on a comedy show. But he's working on it nonetheless. Maybe one day he'll find love. Must be difficult for pigeons. I mean, it's not like they understand the internet or know how to use dating agencies. I noticed a certain cat too. It's the black and white one whose face bears an alarming resemblance to Adolf Hitler. I had no idea this feline adventurer ever prowled this part of town, but as cats do, sometimes they travel some distance to find a hiunting ground. It's all sex and violence, really. Oh well, it was a nice day at the park, but if you'll excuse me, I have work to do. Whether I like or not.

No-one at that time would have envisaged exposing the fairer sex to the violence of the battlefield - indeed, the outrage against the Hun was not just that they had instigated a war, but that in Belgium they had accrued a reputation for murdering pregnant women. However it is also true that WW1 was the first instance of women taking on male roles in production and support in British society, although we also have to allow for the influence of the Suffragette movement that had become quite strident politically just before the Great War.

Until Claudius a Roman owner could kill a slave or dispose of him as required. Claudius was moved by the sight of sick slaves left to die and began humanitarian legislation aimed at restricting the excesses of slave owners. Further restrictions were enacted in later reigns. It is true however that much reputation in high society was placed upon generosity and benign ownership, usually expressed by patronism or manumission. A cruel owner would suffer the poor opinion of the public if he killed slaves so angrily. One young man was caught with a householders wife. He protested innocence, claiming he thought the woman to be one of the man's slaves, whom he had gotten interested in. Had the youngster been found guilty of banging the man's wife, he was liable for some very tough treatment. However, as he had only transgressed property rights by attempting to have sex with another mans slave, he was merely fined. A liucky escape... But it appears this sort of excuse was commonplace. I remember a case where a woman had fallen to her death from an upstairs window. because a fierce row had been heard immediately before, the husband was found guilty of throwing her from the window and dealt with. There is of course the mention of a law in which if a slave killed his master, all slaves in the household were to be executed to dissuade other such occurences. Unfortunately, the public thought this was outrageous, depsite being legal, and the magistrates did not order the deaths. However, it was noted that when Nero held a party on a barge fitted out as a sort of virtual red light district street, a few of the high class women acting as prostitutes were found murdered and presumed to be victims of the slaves who had been allowed to partkae of their mistresses. No-one was tried for the crimes.

Take a look at the BAttle of Leuctra in 371BC. The Spartans arranged their cavalry in a line ahead of their phalanxes, and so did the Thebans, which would result in a cavalry brawl ahead of the closure of phalanx lines. However the wiley Thebans advanced right flank refused (or a diagonal with the left leading if you prefer) allowing their cavalry an escape route and trapping the spartan horse between the rows of pikes. The Spartans lost.

A spear is a convenient weapon to ake and distribute to poorly trained fighters, and when used en masse, can at least up to a point compensate for that lack of training. However, like any weapon, those that know what they're doing generally do better.

There's an undercurrent of arrogance and immaturity too.