Gaius Paulinus Maximus

I am just about to read that. So it is very different from Scarrow you say? well I might still read it all the same... As I've said before, I absolutely love this book, it's the book that sparked my interest in Rome when I was young and I've read and re-read it many times since. JGolomb hit the nail on the head when he said that even after he'd finished it he was still thinking about it. I can't pin point the exact reason why I think it's so good, I've read books that are more exciting and entertaining but Eagle in the Snow was just so well written and evocative that it got me hooked on ancient Rome and for that I'm eternally grateful.

I'm a big fan of both and have read them many times but I find myself returning to Suetonius more than Tacitus. I think that the Twelve Caesars is fantastic and really entertaining, at times it reads like a tabloid from ancient Rome, giving us all the juicy gossip on the "celebs" of Rome.

HERE'S a recent article about this long awaited film, it sounds like it's going to be quite an interesting movie. Kevin Macdonald has a good track record of making good award winning box office films so fingers crossed he'll do a good job with the Eagle of the Ninth.

Hi Marius, There are a couple of Romilius that crop up in Smiths Dictionary, notably T. Romilius Rocus Vaticanus who was consul in 455 B.C. and was a member of the first decemvirate. I'm sure Nephele will be able to give you a bit more info on the history of your name, she's our resident expert on Nomina Et Gentes. BTW welcome to UNRV.

I reviewed The Forgotten Legion for UNRV a while back, have a read and see what you think Kane's not quite in Scarrow's league yet but it was his first ever novel and in my opinion he did a very good job with it.

Gaius - it appears that Warrior of Rome is just being published in the US this fall. Sounds like it was popular overseas? Did you like it? Jason I think the book was fairly popular over here, It didn't break any records or anything like that but on the whole I think it was pretty well received. I for one thoroughly enjoyed it, I thought it had a great storyline, interesting characters and above all else it was very well researched. The second book in the series "King of Kings" has just been released over here, I haven't got round to reading it yet but judging by the reviews I've read it appears to be even better than the first book.

Hey Cornelius, Where was my invite?????? That sounds like my kind of party!!

Nice little find DC, I'm up to chapter III at the moment and going strong!!

A HEXHAM archaeologist has challenged perceived wisdom with startling claims that Hadrian's Wall was originally built of wood. In a 65,000 word thesis published on his website, Geoff Carter says his hypothesis answers some age-old questions. Archaeologists have long wondered why the ditch that runs parallel is several feet away from the Wall itself, reducing its effectiveness as a deterrent to invaders. They also question why the ditch curves inwards towards each of the milecastles. The answer, says Mr Carter, is that the ditch was originally dug at the foot of a timber wall that was put up as a temporary measure......... Read the full article HERE Also read Geoff Carter's thesis HERE

After reading this encouraging review I decided to go out and buy the book and read it for myself. I think it's fair to say that I took a bit of warming to Black Ships, the first few chapters didn't really grab me at first, but once the story started to take shape and I got to know the characters a bit more then I found myself really enjoying it. I think Jo Graham did an excellent job of blending her own story with that of The Aeneid, especially where Aeneas is concerned and the inner turmoils he faced like is he worthy to be king? and can he lead his people to a new land? and is he able live up to the high expectations of his father Anchises? I think she conveys this part of the story really well to the reader. The switching of Dido of Carthage to Princess Basetamon of Egypt is clever and really works, but I have to agree with Ursus that the inclusion of the God Mik-el is pretty pointless and not needed, at one point Mik-el kind of indicates that he's related to Gull's lover, Xandoros, but then never expands on it and just leaves you wondering. But other than that minor criticism I thought all in all it was a really good, well written and well researched novel.

Pretty shit at the moment...........I'm nursing a serious hangover!!!!

Happy Birthday guys! Have a good one!!!

The article tends to contradict itself at times too, firstly it says.........

HERE'S an interesting article on the upcoming Anniversary of the battle of the Tuetoburg Forest.... Germany is marking the 2000th anniversary next month of a battle hailed as the birth of the nation

HERE'S a bit more on the villa from Mary Beards column in The Times, casting her doubt that it is really anything to do with Vespasian at all.

While reading Sallust's Bellum Catilinae I came across a section of the book (Chapt.8 thru 10) which comes across to me that Sallust is obviously proud of what Rome has achieved but at the same time he is dissapointed with what Rome is becoming, basically in not so many words he blames the destruction of Carthage and the capture of Greece for the start of the deterioration, because the one removed an enemy that had kept Rome on her toes, whilst the other familiarized Rome with the enervating luxuries and vices of the Greek world. But beyond question Fortune holds sway everywhere. It is she that makes all events famous or obscure according to her caprice rather than in accordance with the truth. The acts of the Athenians, in my judgment, were indeed great and glorious enough, but nevertheless somewhat less important than fame represents them. But because Athens produced writers of exceptional talent, the exploits of the men of Athens are heralded throughout the world as unsurpassed. Thus the merit of those who did the deeds is rated as high as brilliant minds have been able to exalt the deeds themselves by words of praise. But the Roman people never had that advantage, since their ablest men were always most engaged with affairs; their minds were never employed apart from their bodies; the best citizen preferred action to words, and thought that his own brave deeds should be lauded by others rather than that theirs should be recounted by him. Accordingly, good morals were cultivated at home and in the field; there was the greatest harmony and little or no avarice; justice and probity prevailed among them, thanks not so much to laws as to nature. Quarrels, discord, and strife were reserved for their enemies; citizen vied with citizen only for the prize of merit. They were lavish in their offerings to the gods, frugal in the home, loyal to their friends. By practising these two qualities, boldness in warfare and justice when peace came, they watched over themselves and their country. In proof of these statements I present this convincing evidence: firstly, in time of war punishment was more often inflicted for attacking the enemy contrary to orders, or for withdrawing too tardily when recalled from the field, than for venturing to abandon the standards or to give ground under stress; and secondly, in time of peace they ruled by kindness rather than fear, and when wronged preferred forgiveness to vengeance. But when our country had grown great through toil and the practice of justice, when great kings had been vanquished in war, savage tribes and mighty peoples subdued by force of arms, when Carthage, the rival of Rome's sway, had perished root and branch, and all seas and lands were open, then Fortune began to grow cruel and to bring confusion into all our affairs. Those who had found it easy to bear hardship and dangers, anxiety and adversity, found leisure and wealth, desirable under other circumstances, a burden and a curse. Hence the lust for money first, then for power, grew upon them; these were, I may say, the root of all evils. For avarice destroyed honour, integrity, and all other noble qualities; taught in their place insolence, cruelty, to neglect the gods, to set a price on everything. Ambition drove many men to become false; to have one thought locked in the breast, another ready on the tongue; to value friendships and enmities not on their merits but by the standard of self-interest, and to show a good front rather than a good heart. At first these vices grew slowly, from time to time they were punished; finally, when the disease had spread like a deadly plague, the state was changed and a government second to none in equity and excellence became cruel and intolerable. What do you think?

Urbanae Cohortes.

I've just started reading this today, I'm about 60 pages into it and I'm still sat on the fence as to whether I like it or not, but it's early days yet so I'll persevere.

...which of course, makes it Roman. From the mosaics at San Vitale, Ravenna, 6th century: If I'm not mistaken that's the Emperor Justinian with his famous General Belisarius on his left hand side, Which would then make it a Byzantine style toga wouldn't it ?

Eagle in the Snow by Wallace Breem is a classic. Excellent suggestion Lanista. This is probably my favourite novel of all time. There's also a few good recent books like The Forgotten Legion Chronicles by Ben Kane and The Warrior of Rome series by Harry Sidebottom. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=...ywords=ben+kane There's masses of great historical novels out there......Search and ye shall find!!!! P.S. Check out Lanista's book as well, you won't be disappointed.

What about Alexander, starring Colin Farrell? Never knew the all conquering Macedonian hero was infact Irish with a liking for extremley bad Abba look a like wigs! This film is pretty bad from start to finish.

Sorry I forgot to post the link to the article, there's a couple of picture's of the mosaic floor they discovered. http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/08/06/v...sian-villa.html What I like about Vespasian is the way he managed to stabilize the Empire after the tyrannical rule of Nero and then the civil war which happened after his death. Vespasian was a soldier at heart and had worked his way up to the very top of the tree by firstly being extremely good at what he did and secondly by earning the love and respect of his soldiers and the people of Rome. He was a man of strict military discipline and simple tastes, Vespasian proved to be a conscientious and generally tolerant administrator. More importantly, following the upheavals of A.D. 68-69, his reign was welcome for its general tranquility and restoration of peace. In Vespasian Rome found a leader who made no great breaks with tradition, yet his ability to rebuild the empire and especially his willingness to expand the composition of the governing class helped to establish a positive working model for the "good emperors" of the second century. Plus the fact that he was the first Emperor to die peacefully since Augustus ( OK, Tiberius had supposedly passed away quietly, but there is some speculation that his successor Gaius could have helped him along a bit!) surely goes to prove that he was a good and worthy ruler of Rome.

Thanks for this Ludovicus. The reign of Vespasian and then that of his sons has always been a favorite of mine. Here's a bit more info to add to your post..... "The exact location of Falacrinae has long been the subject of debate. We now know that this village of ancient Rome lay near Cittareale, " Pierluigi Feliciangeli, the mayor of Cittareale, told Discovery News. Indeed, the rediscovery near Cittareale of an ancient Roman inscription celebrating a Falacrinae resident at the Social War in 91-88 B.C., has made it possible to identify the ancient village. In a parallel dig, archaeologists found the remains of Falacrinae -- tombs, vases, and various artifacts which are now on display at the Cittareale museum. "We have Falacrinae and we have this huge villa. It all points to Vespasian. This is an incredible finding for Cittareale," Feliciangeli said. According to Coarelli, the most spectacular section of the villa is the floor of the main hall, made of polychrome marbles quarried in North Africa. Two other rooms have delicate mosaic floors. The villa is said to be somewhere in the region of 15,000 square meters in size.

Welcome to UNRV Centurion Macro, The good thing about this sight is that we're all still learning too, Roman history is so extensive that I'm sure I as well as many others around here will ever be able to class ourselves as true experts on the subject so you're in good company!! Welcome aboard.

What is Scotland like? I have always wanted to go there ~Thanks for the welcome Northern Neil! You're not missing anything Macro!!! Only joking Mark