Klingan

WotWotius if you have any problem uploading an image try at www.tinypic.com (working fine here) or www.imageshack.us (very slow for me).

I thought I'd just a add a fast note on the mausoleum of Augustus. It's interesting to know that it was one of the first large buildings that was ordered to be built by Augustus even before actium. Scientists believe that this was a statement that "This is where I belong" by Octavianus, in contrast to Antonius will that revealed his wish to be buried in Alexandria. Therefor it was very much in fact a political move from Octavianus side. When it was complete in 28 BC it was also seen as a monument of his triumph over Antonius, and as one of the two domination buildings in the city at this time. The other one Octavianus temple of Apollo at the Palantine, it was surly seen as a sign of his political domination and power to restore the city to the old good glorious days. Originally it was 80 meters wide and about 40 meters high build in bricks covered in marble, plants and treas in the center of a large garden.

The generals were expected to ride behind the lines in battle yes. Actually dictators had a special taboo about horseback riding that they had to ask permission to break all the time, since effective commanding would be impossible with out that. However there are example where they would fight, mostly in cavalry chock charges if necessary. Most Hellenistic rulers fought in the first line with their soldiers (As Alexander did) so we don't even have too search among barbarians to find that, and a certain Marcellus (unfortunately unspecified in my book) did kill a Gallic king in a duel during one of the Punic wars. I'm afraid I can't give a more elaborated explanation now, I'm having a field day tomorrow 7 am.

It's a very big difference between a duel and a battle in formation. In the first case you'll have lots of space to move at. In the second you'll be standing very close to another soldier, who's shield is covering up your side. Therefor, slashing is very hard to accomplish and thrusting is preferred. Just because the could use it for cutting doesn't mean they did it normally. I might add also that challenging the enemy leader was a very rare thing to do. From my knowledge it was only done twice before the Punic wars, once in legend by Romulus.

Of course not. As an example, the only honor higher then being allowed to hold a triumph for a general was to sacrifice Spolia opima at the Capitoline, something that could only be won by killing the enemy leader in single combat. I can hardly see that as a duel where the roman general was only thrusting from behind his shield. Anyway in a "normal" combat situation (formation), thrusting was most probably preferable, but if necessary I'm sure they wouldn't hesitate to cut.

Not to mention the discussion in this thread, showing (At least from my point of view) that it was primary a thrusting weapon, the argument that it must have been used to slash just because it's called a sword is just ridiculous. You can thrust with a sword forever with out even thinking about slashing. A word is there do describe something, more or less accurately. Yes I'm sure you could use it for slashing, but the word "sword" won't do as proof that is was as much for slashing as thrusting. "Main Entry: sword Pronunciation: 'sord Function: noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English, from Old English sweord; akin to Old High German swert sword 1 : a weapon (as a cutlass or rapier) with a long blade for cutting or thrusting that is often used as a symbol of honor or authority 2 a : an agency or instrument of destruction or combat b : the use of force <the pen is mightier than the sword -- E. G. Bulwer-Lytton> 3 : coercive power 4 : something that resembles a sword - sword

Ah about time

I believe that you are seeing connections where there are none. How soapaish it ever was, it still told the story of real events. The restoration of the republic was one of the things Octavianus really wanted to show the people. Timon and his brother is probably (in my opinion) just yet another side trail that was left unfinished, with no real though behind it with so many different people involved.) About why it's ending at the point it does, I can hardly imagine any much better point to end it at. I would have been quite dull for the average watcher to watch Octavian reforming the republic (I wouldn't mind a serious documentary at the subject or a book for that case). It's a commercial show, unless people watch it, it's over.

Ouch, now that hurts to hear :mellow:

I've never heard of any military presence in Denmark or any official interest. However Greene, K Speculate in his book "The archeology of the Roman economy" that roman merchants may have preferred to sail around Denmark (Jylland) compared to taking their goods over land to Germany. From the cost/time models I've seen it seems far from impossible. That could explain geographical knowledge if nothing else.

The change seems very nice, (after the initial confusion) but I somehow feel that Archaeological News: Rome's new spot is just a little hidden. Just a feeling.

I was of the impression that he was sent to one of the many nearby mountains during his rite de passage. I guess it would snow there, shouldn't be impossible atleast. However he would never survive in that outfit

Congratulations! :drunk:

I would say yes, it's not a historically correct movie, but it's fairly entertaining. Then again I guess it all comes down to what kinda movies you enjoy.

Pliny the Elder mention in his Natural History (28.5-29) that: He mentions that when speaking of the dead they added quickly "Let us not disturb the memory of them." When someone sneezed you would say "Good health" as we say bless you. It was a common belief that if someone spoke about you when you were not present you would hear a ringing in your ears. It was very unlucky to sweep the floor while a dinner guest was leaving or to remove the table or serving stray while a guest was drinking. Cutting your hair on the 17th or 29th day of the month preventer baldness as well as headaches. To cure eye inflammation you could tie a linen thread around your neck with a piece of papyrus on which the two Greek letters P and A was written. This was confirmed working by three consuls!

I believe you'll find the answer to all those questions here. It's the Rome televisionseries subforum

Finally this movie have started going at Swedish cinemas, and even when it fails history, it was entertaining. The effects were splendid and I think they have been putting a lot of effort in making it a "beautiful" film. Maybe a little too much. I also managed to acquire an original poster (Not the usual one they sell, this is the type they use at the cinema)!

Very good point, I should have thought about that. I even had a short piece in my paper about the fact that most complete pots were found in graves. Still than, why was white preferred as grave gifts?

I can't say for sure that all of them are white. My book says "the most easily recognizable funerary case for oil is the tall white-grounded oil flask - a shape we call today the Lekythos" (The Red and the Black, Studies in Greek pottery by Brian A.Sparkes) I'm really no expert in attic pottery. After I took a look at Google I found some red and black one's too but the large mass is white grounded. I guess there's always a few exceptions to everything. Anyway that would put us back at the original question, more or less.

Ouch, you've got me there. I'll need to think about this one. Need to focus on architecture from the second triumvirate for a short while too (Up for a 15 min presentation tomorrow)

I was recently writing a short paper on different ceramic vessels in Attica (600 BC - 0 BC ish) and their use for different situations in life. An interesting thing that caught me was that the vessel know to us as the Lekythos seems to always be painted white, even when the ceramics fashion changed several times (White -> Black figure -> Red figure mainly). It was used to bring oil to the dead (Anointing the body itself, included with the grave goods, to sweeten the atmosphere and to place at the step of the grave at certain days) and large ones even had a smaller inner container to not use too much oil. (it was the quality not the quantity that mattered.) Anyway does anyone know why it always seems to be white? Was it that they somehow connected white with death? There were smaller ones that were painted differently but the one Lekythos shaped always stay the same.

Hmm I guess that one was quite easy too. It's still impressive to see how the dam have been holding up for 2000 years thou. Pay back time now?

That easy, huh? You'll all pay for that next time How could I have missed such a building? Have anyone seen a reconstruction model of it? I would very much enjoy to see how it once was looking. Here's the next one.

The sanctury of Jupiter Anxur at Terracina?

I will make a try when I get home from uni later today.