spittle

Hi, NN I used to live in South Shields and then Newcastle (Benwell -rough as arseholes!) BUT there were 2 of the walls gatehouses actually IN between the homes on the neighbouring estate. The inscribed tablets were copies (originals in a museum) but they were still fascinating little bits of history. I'll talk with you at York in April (I'm 90% sure I'll be able to take a few holidays or swap shifts). I'd like a small group to actually walk the length of Hadrians Wall. Maybe in the summer???

Atia is to Rome what Livia was to I, Claudius. A pleasant fiction. I would have though that Gail (The Augusta) enjoyed separating the fact from the fiction? PS. Stop blaspheming! As for other HBO stuff DEADWOOD 3 and THE WIRE 3 are available on DVD on 05/02/07. Anne Bolleyn. Its a long story..... No idea, MPC, but I'd wager that you have? care to share?

Clodius, I do think there is much substance to this speculation and as you point out, Vorenus is bound to Antony by a solemn oath and knowing his character, he will stand by his word, however displeasing it may be to his own personal views. Pullo, of course, is Octavian's man and therefore, we could have them fighting each other at some point as tensions escalate between Antony and Octavian. The two should be ideal mediators and perhaps, Antony and Octavian may utilize them as "go betweens" to convey their wishes to one another, as each of them cannot stand to be in the presence of the other, although they are "allied" by a common triumvirate. I wonder what Lepidus's role will be in all of this. I'm also interested in knowing if they would bring Fulvia into the picture at some point. She is a strong woman and should be an interesting character to portray. I'm also looking forward to who will play Marcus Agrippa, Octavian's right hand man. Its more than speculation. The directors commentary on season one states that Pullo and Vorenus have strong ties to people who will become enemies and the scene is set for the two to war against each other. In Empire Films magazine they have a 'PLOT SPOILER' icon so readers can avoid articles that tell them too much about the films they hope to watch. Seeing as our American cousins will get a chance to view Season Two before the rest of us (I'm happy for you!) maybe we should think of a similar warning for the forum?

Two were recovered by Germanicus in 15/16AD, the third in 42AD by Publius Gabinius. http://www.livius.org/a/1/legio/signa.JPG image of a coin showing Germanicus with a recovered eagle. So Three were lost and three recovered? Thanks. thats as concise as it gets!

I have heard this discription used for Caesar, Augustus and many others but I am still unsure of what it actually means. Please excuse my spelling.

The lack of popularity for Tiberius seems to be due to his lack of funding for public games. The fact that he was generous when it came to helping the masses with the little things such as famine, fire and disease didn't cut much mustard and his refusal to pay for entertainments ensured he was hated by the masses.

The Parthians returned the Eagles that Crassus lost in 53BC to Augustus 33yrs later, 20BC. Does anyone know the fate of the Eagles that were lost by Varus in the Teutoburg Forest in AD9 ?

This reminds me of a Russian joke. Lenin's body is taken to Manhatten so the scientists can re-animate him. He stands and walks to the window. Looking out at the New York streets teeming with people and activity. A tear rolls down his face and he breaks the awed silence by saying "I always knew my revolution would do this to Moscow".

Great stuff, JPV. Have you any illustrations of the more well known soldiers> I am guessing they are the late republic/early pricipate legionaries. The ones with the leather skirts and red plumed helmets?? You need pairing up with an author to illustrate their work. Unless your talents are capable of illustrating your own writings? I'd buy a book of your pictures that simply detailed the changed in the Roman military over the centuries and I'm sure many more would too.

The I-am-at-work-and-can't-think-straight-because-my-blood-boils-with-desire kind of love. For the type of all consuming 'Crazy Love' you discribe then The Police 'Walking on the Moon'. It sounds to me like our Ursas has the symptoms of pounding heart and loss of appetite (for food, anyway)?

Sorry to side track. I have Cornell's early History of Rome and Forsythes Critical History of Early Rome but they are too advanced and scholarly for my limited knowledge/infantile concentration span. Could anyone recommend a narrative history on the Etruscan/Beginnings of Rome? I have found this discussion fascinating but notice the contradictory theories voiced by Ramses (Etruscan occupation and Monarchy0 and Pentagathus (Etruscan Mythology), Please direct me to further reading. Ramses, I don't think Latin derived from Ancient Greek to any serious degree.

I have read Sejanus and Maecenas described as Etruscan. What does it mean in this context?

Hahahah I like it!!

This is the last I will say on this subject and I will not take part in discussions of politics or religion after this. I agree with the war in Iraq, I'm not a naive 'love can rule the world' type. England is not cozy. We have had suicide attacks in London from Muslims born and raised less than 20 miles from my home. I come from Wakefield, west yorkshire. The London Bombers came from Leeds and Dewsbury (also West Yorkshire). In Bradford (sometimes known as Bradistan) riots break out periodically and hard drugs are sold by ethnic groups as openly as if they were selling fruit. I have spent time in Turkey, Malaysia, Phillipines and Morocco (Religious bombings were happening in the last two due to Christian/Muslim tensions (Phil) and Algerian radicals (Mor). The comment about Coptics was a genuine suggestion at possible ways to research your ancestry. I would have thought that belonging to a small but close knit community would have been helpful. If I could go back in time and keep Britain from becoming multi-racial I would but thats not a possibility now without ethnic clensing so I advocate making the best out of the situation we have. Most of the Muslims I have met have a genuine interest in Western (American) popular culture and would love to have the freedoms that we take for granted. The Egyptian government could make the hotel take the Bibles out of the rooms but it chooses not to. What part of my argument do you not get? Happy New Year.

Its obviously modern. How would the Romans know how to model statues on the beach volleyball scene from the starting credits to Baywatch?

To ramses the Great. If you cannot debate with me without becoming pretty and bitchy then lets avoid discussions together. As for your cherry picked arguments... you contradict yourself. On one hand Christianity is being wiped out in the mid-East, on the other the government allows Bibles to be placed in hotel rooms. that doesn't sound very fanatical. And ifs its not my business about your ancestry why did you start the subject in an answer to my previous thread 'Oldest Families'? Maybe you should stick to "Craziest things ever done for beer" type threads. Its the level you work on. And whether its Christian or Muslim owned hotels have an obligation to throw out hookers, maybe thats what your not being told. How else could such a downtrodden segment of Egyptian society save enough to start fresh in the West?

International politics.Iraq. MY OPINION. By allowing the Iraqi Shi'ites the illusion of power (Saddam's trial and execution) they are less likely to try and break from Iraq and join their co-religionist's over the border in Iran. Taking a hell of a lot of oil fields with them! By doing the same with the Kurds they could encourage a cry for total independence that could domino into the Kurd area's of several neighbouring countries. Turkey is a source of constant pressure against the west empowering the Iraqi Kurds, for obvious reasons. As for justice in Iraq I can only imagine some kind of Truth and Reconcilliation Committee (as in South Africa and Rwanda) but this can only happen AFTER the events and violence. Catch 22.

If they want Bibles for themselves thats different but attempting to force the religious views of the hotel owners on the guests by sticking Bibles in the rooms is a very different matter. And what Bibles? The one that politically best suited James 1st in the early 1600s? Or one amongst the dozens of other rewrites that appear to have little left from the actual teachings of Christ. As for Nepal it relates to the topic. Every yeqr Christian and Muslim missionaries are deported (or worse) for trying to preach a different religion to the state faith of Hinduism. We hear very little about this because its not Muslims doing it. Historically Islam was the most tolerant monotheistic faith of them all. When the Christians first took back Jerusalem they massacred every non-Christian. A century later when Arabs re-occupied the city they were the first occupying regime to allow freedom of religion. I DO NOT LIKE THIS PERSONS VIEWS I THINK I'LL SAY HE HAS GONE OFF TOPIC. Its getting dull when this weak attempt to undermine anothers point of view becomes increasingly used.

Rudolf Hess. Manuel Noriega. Imprisoned and left to naturally fade from public memory. Che Guevara. (Killed on the direct orders of Pres' L.B.Johnson) turned into a legend.

If, at the very best, the West does not be percieved as behind this it will raise tensions between sunni and shia (Most judges were Shii'a and Amnesty International said it was a forgone conclusion). On a personal level I felt sorry for an old man being surrounded by masked men and legally murdered....and I know if anyone deserved it it was him. I don't know how a country with the death penalty can consider itself fully civilized.

Didn't you say your family were Coptic Christians? I'm surprized you cannot trace your family tree through the Coptic Churches/community you originate from? If a hotel in Nepal put Bibles in the rooms it would be illegal (State religion is Hindu) and I find it insensitive to do such a thing in a Muslim country, whether its owned by Western firms or not. Didn't you say your family were Coptic Christians? I'm surprized you cannot trace your family tree through the Coptic Churches/community you originate from? If a hotel in Nepal put Bibles in the rooms it would be illegal (State religion is Hindu) and I find it insensitive to do such a thing in a Muslim country, whether its owned by Western firms or not.

If you want to discuss the Iranians treatment of non-Muslims, fine. If you want to discuss the Taliban blowing up the pre-Mohammed Buddha's, fine. (The International Council of Islam, based in Cairo, condemned that action as did most Muslims). But lets not group EVERY MUSLIM together under the heading of THEM as opposed to US. I never said that Christians in the Mid-East were not under threat but I believe that most are not. And mosques that started life as churches seem about as numerous as churches that started life as mosques. Partition in India was not a one way street. Muslims were victims as well as perps. And did you say that the Marriot in Egypt had Bibles in the rooms? Personally I believe the world would be a better place with no religion. Suicide bombers believe in an afterlife.

I cannot stand too much certainty in religion thats why I avoid America's Bible Belt. The polarising of viewpoints is the beginning of extremism and I have had much kindness shown me by muslims in their country's and mine (which is secular, lest we forget). Much of the Mid East trouble is more Oil/Economic based than religious and using the Afghans as an example of typical islam???? My two favourite buildings are Islamic structures in non-Islamic countries. The Alhambra in Granada (I love Andalucia) and the Taj Mahal. Like Norhern Neil I'm from the North of England and have grown up with many muslims that I am proud to call friends. They don't care about religion but attend the Mosque to respect their parents wishes. Give it another generation and they'll be as religion free as myself

I'm sorry to say that I have not read Chronicles of the Roman Emperors but I imagine that it could not possibly go into a fraction as much detail without being a set of encyclopedia's. Remember that this title only deals with the Julio-Claudians. I'm new to this subject. I have read Rubicon, Goldworthy's Caesar, Hollands Augustus and a few others so its perfect foundation material for me. From your previous posts, DC, I'd say your far more knowledgable than myself so I really couldn't say what value, if any, this work would be to you. If I was you I would try to see it in a book shop or library before buying it. I can state with certainty that it will remain a valuable little reference aid for me. Also, I recently won one of the December Giveaway Prizes on this forum and chose Seagars POMPEY THE GREAT. Another option was Chronicle of the Roman Republic. I believe that one volume for every aspect of the Republic and another volume for every aspect of the Empire must surely stretch things to breaking point? So I declined the Chronicle and went with Pompey.

There is a glut of titles concerning Gaius Julius Caesar, Augustus, Caligula and Nero. Less for Claudius and least of all for Tiberius. This gem of a work is an excellent introduction to them all. What first struck me about this book is the quality of the actual finished product. The imperial purple inner sleeve, the indented, symetrical dolphins on the front, the high quality paper.... If I ever had a book published I'd want Thames and Hudson to be the publishers. Its easy to forget that books should be things of beauty. As well as two sets of illustrations about one third and two thirds into the print there are dozens of smaller pictures in the corners of the text. A coin, a map, a bust.....They all help to explain the family that stunned, then killed, the Roman Republic. Unlike most biographies of Julius Caesar where the mans obvious genius is debated so much that it is easy to forget his success was built on millions of corpses or enslaved victims, Matyszak never lets the reader forget that Julius was a war criminal by our standards and, more approprateley, by theirs! So much has been written about Cato, et al, forcing his hand and being responsible for the resulting civil war and monarchy that it was a pleasant surprize to read an author who clearly believes that Caesars accomplishments do not excuse his crimes. To be continued....Unexpected disturbance