Gaius Paulinus Maximus

Porto Torres - Sassari ? Ponte Milvio ?

GPM can only think of one thing to say.......... " RUN ALEXANDER!!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!!"

Here's a drawing of King Shaka of the Zula, the spear does seem to point more towards Caldrails description. But then I found this on Wikipedia which sounds more like the spear in JP's picture.

It certainly is! Can't wait for the next installment!

I second the call for Flavius Stilicho, he was a military genius who'd continuously saved Rome from the barbarians, most notably Alaric of the Visigoths by defeating much bigger armies almost every time. I think the story of Stilicho would make a great book, he was a true Roman , a great general and the story of his death by the order of that weasel of an Emperor, Honorius, makes for an interesting and entertaining biography.

Excellent work Ursus, Ive always had a basic understanding of Paganism and have been happy to leave it at that but after reading your essay about the origins of paganism and how it's evolved considerably over the years it really does seem like a fascinating subject.

I believe that the 'Draco' standard became the most popular standard of the Late Roman period. I also believe that during the Christian period that the cross was carried into Battle. If my memory serves me right, I believe that Constantine I might have carried a cross and some other Christian symbols into battle. Other Emperors that followed him must have done so. Wasn't this the symbol that Constantine had his army paint on thier shields before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge? It's called the Chi Rho symbol. Chi and Rho are the first two letters (ΧΡ) of "Christ" in Greek ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ. (Christos). Sometimes it is called the Monogram of Christ or Chrismon or Labarum. While it was used very early by persecuted Christians in the catacombs, when Constantine I was struggling to become emperor, he used the symbol at the front of his armies and was victorious.

It's not that I don't like Greek history or wouldn't like to learn more about it, the simple fact is that I just don't have the time learn another history as well as Rome's, every spare moment I get (which believe me, there aren't that many when you've got a couple of young kids pulling on your shirt every two minutes!) I'm reading up and trying to improve my knowledge of Ancient Rome and I've got a hell of a long way to go before I could even begin think myself knowledgeable enough about this subject to even consider learning another. There's just so much to learn about ancient Rome, there's the larger than life characters dotted through out Rome's history, there's the military, political, cultural history of the Romans that I could spend the rest of my life reading and learning about this amazing race of people that were hugely responsible for creating the world that we live in today........and to be honest I probably will and I'll love every minute of it too! So sorry Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, Alexander and the rest, the little bit of available head space that I have left is already reserved!

Consider those beetroot well and truly squeezed AC! I've had a quick browse through the hotels you suggested AC and they all look pretty resonable. I'll be in contact soon when I've decided which of them's going to have the pleasure of my company. Cheers.

I've always had a soft spot for Lucius Cornelius Sulla, I know there's already a few books out there about him but another wouldn't hurt would it. Also what about Lucius Licinius Lucullus, Sulla's close friend and General who was a very capable soldier in his own right.

I'm glad the guy in the video wasn't my father, did you hear what he did?........... He took his son's scooter and cut the wheels off! What sort of father mutilates his kids toys in the name of science, that poor boy could be traumatised for life all because daddy wants to make an ancient robot out of little Billy's pride and joy! I'm thinking about contacting the NSPCC!

I'd also have to agree, the statue is just too perfect to be an original, Ive had a good look around but I've found absolutely no trace of it what so ever. Here's a couple of sites with Augustan portrait sculptures but unfortunately not a sniff of our mystery statue! https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user...4/auguport.html http://lordbest.napoleonicmedals.org/galleryaugustus.html

I stand corrected! But I'm almost certain that the scene I mentioned between Sulla and Aurelia where the October Horse was mention was in one of the earlier books (think it might have been Fortunes Favorites) I've had a quick look through the book but I can't seem to find it, but a description of the October Horse is given in the glossary in the back of the book, which does point to it being mentioned somewhere in the story. I'm going to keep looking because it's starting to bug me now!

How about this PP http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Epitome_of_R..._History/Book_1 |Here's a little taste of Florus's work.

Aphrodisias?

C'mon Miguel where's this hint you've been promising us??

Please correct me if I'm wrong but from what I remember, the October Horse was about Sulla's rise to become the "first" man in Rome, at this stage in the series of books Caesar was only a child and in the story I think it was actually Caesar's mother Aurelia who likened Sulla to the October Horse to which Sulla replied something like "that's all well and good but look what happens to it" or words to that effect anyway. I've just bought Imperium by Robert Harris today, I've been meaning to buy it for a while now but just haven't got round to it. Has anybody read it? Is it any Good?

I'm just finished reading a book called The Nemisis Files by Paul Bruce. It's the true story of an SAS execution squad who worked undercover in Northern Ireland in the early 70's during the rise of the IRA. Paul Bruce was a tough, idealistic young trooper in the SAS when he was dispatched to Northern Ireland. His top-secret mission: to execute IRA suspects in cold blood. Bruce and three SAS comrades shot down one terrified victim after another, leaving their bodies to be buried in deep unmarked woodland graves. The soldiers grew their hair long and drove ordinary cars. But they always carried pistols and sub-machine guns. In this historic book the author produces maps to show where his victims lie secretly buried. He also chronicles the mental breakdown of crack SAS troops, ordered to carry out the dirtiest job in a secret war.

Glad you got it sorted Wot. It would have been a crime if you'd had to miss out on your South Dakota trip, hope you have a great time. P.S. Well done with the results!

I've been doing a bit of reading on the Emperor Aurelian (AD 270-75) and what becomes apparent apart from him being a very able General and Emperor is his fondness of giving himself a new title after nearly every military victory, Germanicuc Maximus, Gothicus Maximus, Parthicus Maximus, Persicus Maximus, Carpicus Maximus, and then we have restitutor orientis, restitutor orbis. There were even coins issued during Aurelian's lifetime reading deus et dominus natus, "God and born ruler" although he did not officially take this title he must have still had a hand in getting the title put on the coins. He also gave his wife, Ulpia Severina the title Augusta and the empress also bore the title, mater castrorum et senatus et patriae. Was this sort of thing commonplace with the Emperors or was it just that Aurelian was proud of his achievements and also very fond of titles?

Not sure if this is exactly what your looking for but what about the underground shrine/sanctuary at Paestum, Campania. http://sights.seindal.dk/sight/97_Underground_Shrine.html Hope it helps.

Tingis (now Tangiers)??

I too thought the scene between Antony and Cicero was pure class, the look on cicero's face and the double take as he saw what Antony "was packing" was hilarious. I think Purefoy and Bamber have got the relationship between Antony and Cicero just right.

I haven't got a clue but it certainly looks like a lovely place. Is that a family having a picnic in the first picture??

Maybe The Augusta can come up with a potion to put Darkus out of his misery? Just strong enough to get rid of the evil side of his nature and bring back the Biscuit eating gladiator that we'd all grown to love (maybe love's a bit strong!)........... put up with ....yes that sounds better!