Augustus Caesar

Meteorite showers are commonplace. Tons of material falls on earth every day. We have bits of the moon and mars dropping on us for instance. How? Because they suffer meteorite strikes too, and without the thicker atmosphere to burn these objects down before collision, and the weaker gravity, debris from these craters can travel into our gravity field. Look into the night sky (preferably away from a built up area with its light pollution) and you may well see the odd meteorite falling. It appears as a speck of light - hence the phrase 'falling star'. A meteor is essentially the same phenomenon but on a larger scale and definitely more impressive to look at, which is why it has its own name. Perhaps you might consider some revision? Dearest Caldrail I will take your words bit by bit and correct you. While I am impressed with your knowledge of Roman History you really need to do some revision yourself when it comes to astronomy. Your terms are wrongly interpreted. 'Meteorite showers are commonplace.' If this were so many more people would be hit with them as these are the objects that fall to Earth. Your term should be 'meteor shower'. 'Tons of material falls on earth every day.' Correct. And most of these are called micrometeorites! 'We have bits of the moon and mars dropping on us for instance. How? Because they suffer meteorite strikes too, and without the thicker atmosphere to burn these objects down before collision, and the weaker gravity, debris from these craters can travel into our gravity field.' Partly true. We do have stuff from all over space hitting the atmosphere but well over 90% of it burns up before hitting the Earth's surface. 'Look into the night sky (preferably away from a built up area with its light pollution) and you may well see the odd meteorite falling. It appears as a speck of light - hence the phrase 'falling star'.' While your advice here is correct about light pollution the latter part is incorrect. You are unlikely to see this happening. It is very rare to visibly 'see' what is eventually a meteorite fall to the Earth. What you describe is a meteor... commonly dubbed either a 'shooting star' or 'falling star'. Another one is an ancient term and was classed as the 'tears of the Gods'. A meteor does appear as a speck of light (at first) but you forgot to mention it streaks across the sky so a speck is strictly wrong and so is known as a 'streak' or 'stream'. 'A meteor is essentially the same phenomenon but on a larger scale and definitely more impressive to look at, which is why it has its own name.' Please see my earlier descriptions of these objects as I do not wish to repeat myself. However, the 'more impressive' meteor you mention has a different name altogether. This is a fireball and is anything really brighter than a magnitude of -5 in stellar terms. Another bigger object is that of a bolide. This is an audible phenomenon and an explosion can be heard from it as it disintegrates in the atmosphere. This is even more rare. Fireballs, if seen, should be reported as soon as possible as this is where possible METEORITE debris can be found at the end of the reported path of trajectory through the atmosphere. And so endeth a lesson!! Please do read up on this Caldrail as I assure you I am perfectly correct. I stated I studied this phenomenon for years and one does not need to revise as one does not forget terms that do not change. I was actually noted in the British Astronomical Associations Journals as having provided an accurate magnitude, time, path and speed for an event which led to the discovery of some extremely important meteorite material after it impacted Earth. One other point I have not stated is that away from the meteor showers and all other descriptions above we have one other - a sporadic meteor. This term is given to a single meteor that is not associated with any shower and can appear anytime and anywhere in the night sky. These are far more common than you would think and by far outweigh the numbers of shower meteors on years where average displays are noted from all showers. Have a read of a good astronomy book and come back and tell me what I know... I am correct!! Sorry Caldrail to do that but I feel my integrity and knowledge were being put to your Roman sword so I had to put up my Roman shield!!

Ah Caldrail... a meteor is any stellar object that is visibly seen to pass through the Earth's atmosphere and burns up whether leaving a trail or not. It can be any size too - from as small as a speck of dust to a larger rock usually. A meteorite on the other hand is an object that falls as a meteor but eventually reaches the Earth's surface. It does not have to be found either as it can disintegrate on impact. A meteor shower is an annual event usually seen on the same dates roughly every year. These will build up in intensity over anything from a few days to a couple of months. It depends upon our passage through the debris of the object that has cast its particles in a narrow or wide band of space. Over time this will widen. A meteor storm reults from our traversing through a very thick field of debris and these events are rare. I could go into more detail if anyone wished but that is sufficient to explain what these things are. I studied meteor showers for many years and have spoken to some of the worlds leading authorities on this subject too but in latter years my interest in Roman History and too many cold nights have allowed that to take a back seat. I hope that helps... sorry if I sound like a teacher!!

OK... not so good news to report to everyone connected with the Wall meet this October. Due to unforeseen circumstances with one of our principal speakers unavailable and another not contactable for reasons unknown it has been with a heavy and disappointed heart that I should call the meeting off for this year. This is after consultation with certain parties and it was felt it should be delayed. Hopefully we can organise another date for next year when more time is available and we can get a lot more to plan their holidays accordingly. I still intend to visit the Wall on Sep 29 to visit Comitatus and ask a few questions so if you have any please forward them in a PM to myself and I will ask away. The group are a reenactment group basing themselves on late third and early fourth century Roman soldiers. So we apologise to those who were going to come along and do hope you can all make a special effort next time round. AC

Ah what noble and honourable generals stide by my side!! I am so proud of you both. Ralla, my man, you misunderstand me. I call on Longinus only to stay with me if you decide to stand down of your own volition. As to the terms of you leaving and retiring all costs would be returned to you. I promised much before the campaign and let it not be said I am not a man of my word!! Of course, if you dearly want to hold your army together you may do so with my blessing. You may have the added honour of naming the legion. Rome should be grateful of your services and though you decline to go on a triumphal march through Rome I will ensure evryone knows the name of Ralla!! Fear not my good servant... you have done your Imperator proud and should I now need your service again I know I can rely on your good self to defend the Roman people. And so to Macer... a proud man and one I admire as I do Ralla. You may choose any path you wish and Rome will be eternally thankful to you. You chose your men carefully and with great pride. Both yourself and Ralla deserve the opportunity to be with your men until you decide to move on naturally. There is a very strong bond between you both and your legions and I may have been blind to that. A weakness I shall never show again. Your men are proud, you are proud and I see now they will follow you wherever you are needed. I offer a hand to you both in the hope that you will agree to go the way of your choice with no malice. You will be rewarded as promised as will your men ut if you decide to keep your armies it should be with the understanding that should you be required to honour Rome with its defence then you shall come at all speed. I leave the choice with you.....

A few days have passed since this sound and glorious victory on Gaulish soil. Ralla has his troops building camps and exercising even though they will probably disband after they reach home. Macer has his men refortifying the walls and repairing or modifying buildings for use by those who wish to stay here and administor the site for their Emperor and Rome. Two proud generals stand before me in my rather hurriedly put together surrounds... I don't mind but it could have been better. To Macer I offer retirement and land as promised in a region of his choosing. His army will be well rewarded for their toils and small plots of fertle land will given if they choose to settle here. The land is perfecly good enough to sustain families for generations so this is a choice which could mean they live well or go back to their homes with a small reward o gold coins. At least they cannot complain they didn't get their reward. Ralla is offered a different deal. He can continue with his legion or retire to the hills in Rome with land and gold as promised. He is a fighting man and Rome can use his services. I suspect he may wish to retire as Macer may choose also. His troops will be offered the same deal... stay on or retire. "I am proud of two of Rome's finest battle hardened generals and any reward may be insufficient in others eyes. You have both shown greta courage and tactical awareness. You have brought together a fine body of raw recruits. You have trained them well and maximised their strengths. Rome salutes you Macer and Ralla!! You must retire now and give me your answers by tomorrow morning. Your decision will be respected by all no matter what you choose to do. Either way, gentlemen, we will return to Rome in triumph and you shall join me at the head of a victory parade. We shall display these Gauls for all to see and let it be a rmeinder that no-one stands in Rome's way of glory and victory." I take my seat and look at the men for thier immediate reactions. Both are still and silent in their Emperor's presence. Then in simultaneous fashion... "HAIL CAESAR!!!". I smile and dismiss them both. Quietly, I reflect the moments on the battle field where I thought I heard the voice of Nephele, where both Ralla and Macer made decisions that wold frighten lesser men, where the Gauls looked panicked and frightened but stood their ignorant ground. This victory will go down well in Rome with her senate and citizens. How will it go down in history? Will it be remembered as a possible turning point in the defeat of the Gauls? If they were allowed to continue building forces would Germania have joined them against us? Would we then have been taken on other fronts and seen as weak? We shall never know. History dictates only what is told and written down - not least the facts that are given by the somewhat biased writers of our time. I will give a good account of this battle and we must see what history brings. Immortality as a God or a reincarnatio may offer us an insight. But - there are many tasks and battles to be done and won over the coming years so no time to rest. I must now return to Rome tomorrow when Ralla and Macer have given me their choices. We will ride together, proudly, and then see what our fates bring. "Ah, Longinus, good to see you. Join me for a meal and we will talk before heading to Rome tomorrow.... I may have need of your services. I await decisions from my generals and you may be called back to my legions. How is your lovely wife... what's her name again...?"

Ah... I see the battle goes well... Macer escapes death by skillfully avoiding a blow to his head (courtesy of a knock to the offenders body) and Ralla.. well he wouldn't be Ralla would he if he didn't see an opportunity to make a few denarii selling slave girls!! Trouble is he doesn't need to because he will receive plenty upon his return to Rome as a victor! Still, hopefully he'll take a few but not too many as resources are needed to battle - not take prisoners!! As this girl looks very pretty and feisty I may just order Ralla to loosen her shackles and hand over to his Imperial superior... we'll see. The battle goes well. It should be over very soon by this standard. The voice I heard may not have been Nephele after all... she is missing and I grow solemn with each hour she does not show. What a servant of Rome we will lose if the barbarians have killed her!! I shall not think of that however... I have a battle to win. Very soon all will be well in the Gaulish provinces and peace shall reign over the Empire once more... but for how long I ask myself? Ralla's men are moving in... good... this should be interesting!!

Aha Augusta!! You must be so proud of your sibling!! Pass on both my own and Flavia's best wishes and congratulations to him. If he sticks in we'll have him do all the talks at future UK meets!!!

Only a few weeks to go now folks!! How's the articles coming along for those who are doing a talk? I will be starting mine - or rather continuing - very shortly after a period of heavy activity in other areas of life. Can't wait....!!!

AC and his loyal Praetorian Guard stand at the crest of a hill looking down on the scene and see the panicked Gauls as the rumble of Roman troops draw ever closer to the camp. Fear stalkstheir minds and yet they do not turn and alert the others. This is going very well... suddenly, a cry from within the camp as more Romans are spotted coming from the opposite side!! Nearer and nearer they come and only now do the watchmen alert the rest of the previously sleeping Gauls! Valuable time is gained by both our armies and I see that they are only a minute or two away from their target! The Gauls are panicked. Loud screams from the women and louder cries from teh men as they try t o at least muster some defence. It's almost time for combat as Ralla's troops march through the last feeble defence posts hacking down the odd Gaul who dares to think he can withstand the mighty Roman Army on his own. Ralla enters the camp and Macer has his troops only a minute or so away on the opposite side. The Gauls don't know which way to turn. There is only one real exit and that will bring them straight to me. If that happens they will be caught in a three pronged attack and surely cannot survive. Macer is on the offensive and rallies his troops to strom the camp as Ralla on the opposite side commands his forces well. I hear a cry from Ralla but I can't make it out!!! I need to know what he commands and it is not clear from his movement! Surely he realises we are on the verge of a truly magnificent piece of shock and awe! Ah, yes!! I see now... he calls his troops to spread out a little but not enough to cause our army any worries. He must be going to surround the enemy and push them right into Macer's waiting swords! Excellent!!! There is a voice calling... it sounds like Nephele!! Could it be?

To Marcus L Ralla and P. Laelius Macer from Augustus Caesar Salve... At last I can get a message to you!! I have been ducking and diving these crazy Gauls and some local tribes hell bent on seeing me stay south of your current positions. I have been ill also and now that I have made a full recovery I can let you both know I am very close to hand... Your plans of entering and surrounding the northern camp are excellent. I feared this may draw the southern troops from their base to attack you Marcus from the rear. This has been borne out! They are on the move. However, fear not... your plans should go ahead as normal and I and my army of Praetorians will bring these Gauls to their scrawny knees!! We will approach from the south and you must join in the attack from your northerly position. They will suspect nothing. Macer will continue his campaign as he has done so well thus far. This battle will be decisive. From this victory we will form a three pronged attack at the northerly camp. I do believe their weakest point will be taken care of by your troops Macer who have infiltrated their guard? This is excellent. Still no news of Nephele. Ah, I fear she may be lost to the Gauls. This would be a huge and tragic loss for Rome! We will fight in her honour. If she yet lives we will bring her home to a great triumph!!! Onward.... Roma Victor!!!!!

Can you imagine seeing it LIVE!!! Especially if they'd caught them!! How embarrassing would that be in the local cells? Caught by 2000 year old soldiers!!!

Why thank you Augusta... Come on then - give us another....

If I remember this scene correctly he first picks up a piece of folded paper from a vessel which signifies the narrow staircase from his seating area at the games, then a grape to show Caligula's position in the corridor and two drinking cups slammed together signifying the slamming of the gates to seal off Caligula and his assassins. I remember it because Cassius then proceeds to eat the grape signifying Caligula's end!! Then he says... "It's as simple as that!!"

Ah this is indeed music Caesar's ears!! The sound of men marching and the sight of them building is quite welcome. It is very encouraging. I cannot see or hear this of course as I camp a day or so away but news now filters very fast to me through the efficient signalling systems. Excellent!! Nephele may be in trouble as no news of her whereabouts has been received. She may be keeping quiet and gaining knowledge as I send you both this message. Hopefully the latter is true. If news filters through of her struggle to free herself do not go charging in with no hope of a result!! We cannot risk our futures on one lady... as important to me as she is!! This news of troops being trained and doing their duty for Rome is very good news indeed and long may it continue. I have no doubts about our superior fighting qualities and these barbarians will learn what it is like to fighting a real battle with a real army and an army of Rome no less!! I await news of your proposed strikes at the Gauls and upon the near completion I shall ride into the fields of glory and proclaim my generals heroes of the state!! Oh what a return to Rome that will be when we gain our triumph and you both ride at my side... hopefully with Nepehele in a good and fit state! MARCH ON...!!!!

WOW!!! I've got EVERYTHING older than you Wot!! Enjoy your day and I hope merriment and joy abounded on your night of sin and drunken revelry!!! I suppose there were a rabble of rowdy rebels with you?!?!? Happy b'day!!

Well it was clear eventually here in North East England last night at a very late hour and too late for my wife and I to go out and take a look. It would take a longish walk to get away from street lights so it wasn't the best opportunity in the world. However, the storm mentioned above is one helluva way to be introduced to meteor astronomy!! I sometimes feel that maybe it gives a bit of an anti climax to see 'so few' in ensuing years though! So it has its good and bad points. It must have been spectacular to watch but pretty futile in having to spend an hour doing recordings of magnitudes etc!!! The Perseid shower where I mention above at recording 117 per hour is by far the best I've seen yet. I don't particularly want to surpass that by too many either unless it is like the storm mentioned above. It makes for a more relaxing time just lying and recording maybe two meteors per minute!!! Better still when one is observing with ones brother who shares exactly the same affinity with the stars. I do hope to get back into observing again in the coming years and at one time had amassed so much material for an attempt at writing a co authoured book with my brother on meteor astronomy. I still have all that material. Maybe one day, maybe!!!

Well, guess what!! Saturday night was a total washout - no surprise there then!!

Words of caution my dear generals... do not be fooled into not attacking and trying to bring some loyal folk to our side. There is little time to negotiate. We will see where their loyalties lie soon enough. Maybe a distant call of using some fine herbs was heard along the way. It may be useful to deploy this method at some point if time is really stretched. Beware the innocent Gauls offering truce and allegiances...

Ah Augusta my dear heart!! Astronomy is one of my pet subjects as you may know. Meteor astronomy especially so. I was a member of the British Astronomical Association for years and also of their meteor section. I and my brother Phil once recorded 117 Perseid meteors in one hour and 111 the next before the usual sharp decline. We had gotten into the nineties before those though!!! It kindles some very fond memories and funny tales of which I shall tell more when I meet you in October!! You'll hurt laughing!!! Are you gonna get out to watch them tonight or tomorrow even? I may get out tomorrow as it should be clearish. Tonight is clear but I am mega busy!! Sadly....

What was the announcement Caligula had just made when he gave Cassius the password for the night as "Bottoms up!"? BTW.. it WAS Postumus and Herod who offered their handkerchiefs to Claudius.

Wise counsel indeed Marcus L Ralla. It is not known as yet to me whether the Gauls know for definite for is only one force heading their way. Yet, even if they suspect two I would have tought they would not believe this to be the case. Secret word from Nephele has given more information about their tactical decision to stay on the borders for a good while yet. This is excellent news. It means they really don't suspect a second army to attack. I give you permission to draw the Gauls from their camp to engage on our terms. The tactical decisions are now passed to my two generals to decide between them the next course of action and how you intend to draw the enemy out of their camp. However, I do suggest drawing them on a northward path as this will add credence to the fact we are attacking with only one army. They will not suspect the great speed of the army approaching from the south and then to be attacked from the east too will panic them. They will be ill prepared to fight on two fronts and will not be able to defend their flanks how they would like and in the numbers they require. The battle is now yours my faithful generals!! Do not let me down. I am on my way to my camp and should expect good news about your approach. I will arrive in two days and would expect any tactical attempt at drawing these barbarians out of their camp to be well under way and nearing completion. ROMA VICTOR!!!!!!

Easy!!! The loincloth was speckled grey! I spilled some paint on it that morning and didn't have a clean one!! The scene is where Augustus visits Postumus on his small island and Postumus greets him with that line. The actor is John Castle. Augustus, as we all know is the excellent Brian Blessed! OK, another one... When Claudius attends the games for the first time who offers him a handkerchief?

Ah, my legions are getting ready for the great battle. This is nice to see. I have been hearing plans are being drawn up by my two loyal generals and things are going ever so swiftly. Now I know the governor in Germania is a little restless with the Gaulssitting pretty at his border but he should fear nothing. The Gauls want us to fight at the border and we shall. Little do they know of our planned attack. I must get a message to Nephele to leave camp and join our own troops so the great spy can deliver information to the Gaulish louts that will get them in a frenzy to fight on open ground. This is essential to our success. It is important that Macer and Ralla give her sufficient detail but not too much in case her cover is blown. I will soon travel north into the Germania heartlands where coordination efforts can be monitored and messages can be relayed at speed. My Praetorian will be with me as will one of the finest legions in Rome, the I Victor Caesaris. My plan for their deployment is top secret but I may not need them. I will leave Rome in four days where I can reach my camp in time for hostilities. Ulpius sends data to me about a rogue merchant ship selling dodgy wine to Rome and upon its discovery north of Carthage he sinks it. We have no further evidence of this ship being treachorous in nature and would welcome an explanation.

Very good old bean!! A gladius is winging your way now as your prize... "Oooops!!" Sorry 'bout that! OK... another one... "Nobody can talk to you anymore." "Anyone can talk to me." "No they can't." "Anyone can talk to me anytime. Except you. You don't talk to people, you bully them!" Who to who and where are they? And what is one of them doing while the other sits?

I an just see the Americans in it now.... bless 'em... "Hey buddy!!! You seen my six pack? And my legs? I got one o' those lateral thigh trainers ya know!!" Or even Paul Hogan the Aussie... "Hey, Brutus! Call that a knife?" Now I know Crowe got away with it in Gladiator, just... but Americans doing Romans? Not likely! Won't work.. nothing to do iwth their history being short Augusta - it's the accent pure and simple. The Romans were a proud nation who ruled with an iron fist. No messing about. You could literally take them seriously... well you had to. Now the Americans, again no offence intended, cannot be taken seriously here. As soon as they try to be iron fisted with something or someone they get hammered by everyone all over the world. When they try to create a series or film of an historical event or period they Hollywoodise it. They pander to their own folk too much who sit in front of the box dictating the story line to the producers. If it's not done in an 'American' way we won't watch it they say. Really? So we end up with Americanised stuff anyway - even with Brit actors!! Stick to what works - it's tried, trusted and well used and folk love it - generally!! Nuff said...