Gaius Paulinus Maximus

Aw, I'm not that good. But thanks. Where is Gaius Paulinus Maximus? I'm expecting him to get this one, as it's right up his alley. HEY! GPM! Wake up! -- Nephele I'm awake.....just! Is it Ostia?

I think a map and compass can be arranged

Good luck LW and enjoy yourself, and don't forget to check-in now and then and let us Know how your getting on

It's a good job that Narcissus did trick Claudius into signing her death warrant, had he not then it would have surely ended up with the assassination of Claudius. Maybe he did love her at one time but I think that the love he'd had for her had grown cold, and that Claudius had finally realized what sort of woman she really was. Apparently Claudius was at dinner when he was informed of her death and his response was to ask for more wine! Doesn't seem like the response of a man who cared much does it?

It's funny you should say that because I bought that book last week but Haven't as yet got round to reading it, but from what I hear it is very good and deserves to be on the list, but the list was based on books that I'd personally read myself........ so there!

As in Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnaeus_Domitius_Ahenobarbus I think I've read somewhere that the cognomen "Ahenobarbus" has something to do with the history of red hair within the family?? Is this true or have I totally made it up?

Excellent work Nephele. A very interesting topic, I believe that some of the praenomina were used exclusively by a single family, for instance.... Appius - used only by the Claudii Decimus - used only by the Claudii Nerones Mamercus - used only by the Aemilia Lepidii Tiberius - used only by the Claudii Nerones and the Aemilia. Do you know of any other names used exclusively like this?

It would be really good to see you Doc, Go on take the leap, you won't regret it!!!

I should think not! I would love to know whether any ancient Roman actually named his dog "Cerberus", although it does seem a likely -- and fitting! -- name for a Roman guard dog! -- Nephele I got the name "Cerberus" from The Cambridge Latin Course book, it's the name of the family's pet dog that feature's through-out the course book. I've tried finding another mention of the name elsewhere but have had no luck, but like you say it would be a perfect name for a fearsome Roman guard dog.

Unfortunately Augusta the House of Livia was still closed when I was there in March Fingers crossed it will have re-opened by the time you go in October.

Hannibal by Theodore Ayrault Dodge http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hannibal-Theodore-...562&sr=1-12 Caesar: The Life of a Colossus by Adrian Goldsworthy http://www.amazon.com/Caesar-Life-Colossus-...562&sr=1-12 The campaigns of Alexander by Arrian http://www.amazon.co.uk/Campaigns-Alexande...562&sr=1-12 Belisarius: The Last Great General of the Roman Empire by Lord Mahon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belisarius-Great-G...562&sr=1-12 Scipio Africanus: Greater than Nepoloen by B.H.Liddell Hart http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scipio-Africanus-Gre...562&sr=1-12

Great report AC, sounds like you all had a great time in York, especially in the little coffee shop, I'll have to brush up on my "Life Of Brian" for the next meet..... how this for starters..... " you call me big nose once more and I'll take you to the f****** cleaners!"

Found this on roman-emperors.org, it states that M Licinius Crassus celebrated a triumph in 27 BC.

I personally think that Caligula just had a very wicked sense of humour, I don't think he was mad either, I just think that his sense of humour was on a different level to everyone else's and because he was emperor people were scared of how to react to his "crazy" actions in case they offended him and this amused him and made him do it even more!

I can't believe I've never seen that before, the clips I watched were very funny. I hope somebody comes up with a place to buy the dvd's, I've looked around myself but to no avail The search continue's!

Excellent article Augusta. I too think Syme's assessment of Marcus Agrippa was a bit unfair, In my opinion Agrippa was a good, loyal friend and devoted Roman and there was no ulterior motive to his apparent modesty and self-effacement, I think he believed in the future of Rome and that the right man was at the helm and that Agrippa did everything in his power to support Augustus. Just to add to Nephele's question, What was the relationship between Agrippa and Livia like? I imagine it was something like a love/hate relationship, after all they were both partners in one way or another of the most powerful man in the known world. Did they get along with each other for the sake of Augustus? Was there a loathing but mutual respect for each other?

Excellent article Caldrail. Do we actually know who we can attribute the Testudo to, Who invented/designed the tortoise shell formation?

Thanks for the link Pertinax, Frankie Howard is a comedy genius. Don't suppose you've got a link for the Chelmsford series have you? To be honest I'd never even heard of this before now and wouldn't mind watching it.

Cerberus - In Greek mythology, Cerberus or Kerberos (Greek Κέρβερος, Kerberos, "demon of the pit") was the hound of Hades, a monstrous three-headed dog (sometimes said to have 50 or 100 heads) with a snake for a tail; he was also seen with a dragons tail and serpentine mane. Somehow I don't think a "Beware Of The Dog" sign would be required ..... Do you??

Sounds good to me, count me in!

Hi, GPM. You and your daughter may want to tune in to Blue Peter next Thursday (May 3rd). Author Caroline Lawrence will be on the show, and they'll also be airing a segment promoting the first television episode of "The Roman Mysteries" (the series is rumored to begin airing on May 8th). Even Caroline isn't certain as to when the series will begin, but that's the latest projected date. -- Nephele Thanks for the tip off Nephele, We'll definitely tune in to it, I must admit I'm quite looking forward to the series myself, it will be good to put a face to the characters in the book, and I think it will also help Maddie with understanding the book a bit better, I don't think she fully understands some of the things described in the book, simple things like a tunic or toga for example, I've described things to her but to see them it with her own eyes on the telly will help her out a lot .

Having being used to eating with the legions in barbarian lands for the past three years, GPm's eye's light up when he see's the array of delicacies on offer, he head's straight his favorites, the stuffed doormice and otter's noses first! He needs a full stomach before he even thinks about attempt to take up Brittanicus's challenge and probably a few more goblets of strong un-watered wine too!

I think weak minded is the wrong choice of words, yes by all accounts he was a sickly individual and probably physically weak, but what he lacked in physical strength he more than made up for in mental strength. Octavian was a highly intelligent individual.

The chances of Brutus being Caesar's illegitimate son were very unlikely Caesar would only have been about 15 years old at the time of Brutus's birth and probably didn't even know Servillia by then, their affair didn't begin for about another ten years. I wouldn't base your knowledge of Octavian as fact based solely on how he was portrayed in the "Rome" series

Yes, Gaius Octavius, I think you're right!. What did you think of the character of Livilla?. I know, because of the crimes the "real" Livilla committed during her lifetime, that no record exists of her in the public archives. So each person must form their own opinion of what she was really like. Now you've done it ! Just wait until The Augusta gets her mitts on this post!! Hope you've got your reading glasses!