Nephele

What is this now? This is news to me, please elaborate. Here's the word on Caesar's birth year, from our own Primus Pilus, who authored this introduction to The First Triumvirate: "Of interesting note regarding the election is Caesar's age. The constitution, under normal circumstances, required a Consular candidate to be 42 years of age. Caesar, however, according to common beliefs, being born in 100 BC, was only 40 years old. This has led to much speculation that he was actually born in 102 BC to make him the right age for the office. The fact that the 'boni' and their ultra conservative policies make little argument against the legality of Caesar running for Consul, lends credence to the argument that Caesar was actually born 2 years earlier. In fact, each office Caesar held was exactly 2 years prior to being legally eligible. However, circumstances throughout this imperatorial period of the Republic often negated such rules. Pompey served as consul in his 20's without even having been a Senator first. Both Plutarch and Suetonius, ancient Rome's great biographers, both say that Caesar died during his 56th year. He would have turned 56 in July of 44 BC making it seem quite clear that Caesar was indeed born in 100 BC. Some theories have suggested that his age may have been overlooked because Caesar won the corona civica in his youth while on campaign in the east. Regardless, no special legislation or extenuating circumstances seemed to block Caesar's legal position to run for Consul." I, also, am unaware of any primary source stating that Caesar changed his birthdate "in order to become younger." That does seem a rather extraordinary claim. -- Nephele

Gaius Valerius, you are a member of the Eggii, a gens which produced three Consuls during Rome's 2nd century period of the Empire. Your cognomen is "Nero," derived from a Sabine word meaning "strength; fortitude" and signifying nobility. Your praenomen is "Servius," customarily abbreviated as "Ser." Your full Roman name is: Ser. Eggius Nero = nroeeowrggeoe -ewoo +iuss Welcome to UNRV! -- Nephele

imperium_galactica, you are a member of the Annaei, a gens that gave birth to influential philosophers such as Lucius Annaeus Seneca (tutor and advisor to Emperor Nero) and Lucius Annaeus Cornutus (teacher and friend of the Roman poet Persius). Your cognomen is "Matho," a Roman cognomen of foreign (Greek) origin, meaning "learning; study." Your praenomen is "Tiberius," customarily abbreviated as "Ti." Your full Roman name is: Ti. Annaeus Matho = mmwhnaoanthtea -hwm +ius Welcome to UNRV! -- Nephele

AncientLibrary.com is back!!! -- Nephele

Also, dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, whereas chimps will always be wild animals regardless of how they are treated by their owners. Another thing about chimps... It's very likely that they naturally perceive human beings as rivals for the same resources. After all, humans and chimps evolved from a common ancestor, and there was a time in prehistory when there were several species of competing "ape-men" existing simultaneously -- Homo habilis, Homo rudolfensis, and Paranthropus boisei in the early Pleistocene period, for one example. Eventually, Homo sapiens won out in the evolutionary struggle, and at the expense of the most competitive species to ourselves. While I myself don't perceive chimps as rivals for my resources (I've no worries about a chimp competing for my job), I think the bit of wildness that remains in me may be a contributing factor towards my dislike for the species. And by the same token, I've no doubt that the honkin' huge chunk of wildness to be found in every chimp that any idiot ever put a diaper on and coddled and called "baby" (are you listening, Michael Jackson, you freak?) is responsible for pet chimpanzees' rage on their owners. -- Nephele

Well, we tried it last night, and my man loved it. But for me it will take some getting used to. It's like sleeping with a pillow, and I don't use pillows. -- Nephele

Your idea of changing your wake-up by a half-hour sounds like a good one, for conquering morning blahs. Today I bought one of those "memory foam" mattress toppers (the 2-inch thick Absolute Comfort System one). Tonight I'm going to see how that works for getting a blissful night's sleep. They were having a sale at Kohl's, and a friend had tipped me off to the sleeping advantages of memory foam mattress toppers. Do you have any Kohl's stores out by you? Those memory foam mattress toppers are supposed to take the "pressure" while you sleep. -- Nephele

History Is Dead Heheh. Couldn't resist the opportunity for a little publicity for my man. -- Nephele

I don't really find chimps, monkeys, etc. endearing even when young. They're all shit-throwers. -- Nephele

As for keeping wild animals as pets... I don't think anything beats the stupidity of people who keep chimpanzees as pets and try to raise them like children. Only last week there was a horrific news story about a woman in Connecticut who had a 200-pound pet/"child" chimpanzee that attacked her friend and ripped the friend's face off and bit off her fingers. Attacking chimpanzees generally go for the face, fingers, and genitals -- and all chimpanzees become increasingly dangerous as they mature. The friend (a woman, but the cop who arrived thought it was a man because she was unrecognizable) is now in a hospital that has gained world renown for performing face transplants. I dislike chimps, monkeys, etc., and have never been able to understand how anybody could think one of those animals looks "cute" or "funny" dressed up as a human. -- Nephele

Too funny! And too true! He forgot to mention videotape recorders. Imagine no longer having to wait for a favorite old movie to be re-run on teevee? Imagine now OWNING that movie and being able to watch it WHENEVER YOU WANT! I remember when videotapes used to be really expensive, too -- like, $60 for an old movie and $25 for blank tapes. Now you can buy old movies for ten bucks or less -- and everything's on DVD and so much better. I don't think I'm spoiled by technology. I'm constantly in awe of what science and technology provides us. In fact, I give thanks every day to science and technology the way a lot of folks give thanks to god. -- Nephele

I wanted to see Spamalot when David Hyde Pierce was in it here in New York, but I never got around to it. Damn. However, I did catch a glimpse of DHP and Hank Azaria when they came out the backstage door of the theater one night. Pics taken in June of 2005: David Hyde Pierce (Sir Robin) Hank Azaria (Sir Lancelot) -- Nephele

I've always found that wine tastes best in fine crystal. The crystal sort of ritualizes the wine-drinking experience -- you find yourself holding that expensive crystal goblet almost reverentially, as you sip your wine. Happy birthday, LW, and enjoy your blackberry Merlot! -- Nephele

Time to lift another glass! Birthday hails to you, LW! May you have the best of days! -- Nephele

All of which certainly describes Charisma. Ooo, Charisma Carpenter. And, as another aside, "Charisma" is a popular name choice of ecdysiasts. -- Nephele

Eh, any excuse to delve into Broughton. Only a couple of Praetors (in 166) appear to have perhaps served in an administrative capacity in Hispania. Mostly we have various Legates listed as having been sent forth to the provinces to observe conditions, take action in some cases, and make recommendations to the Senate. May I ask what prompted the request? 166 M. Fonteius, Praetor for Sardinia (?) A. Licinius Nerva, Praetor for Hispania Citerior (?) P. Quinctilius Varus, Praetor for Sicily (?) P. Rutilius Calvus, Praetor for Hispania Ulterior (?) 165 Ti. Sempronius Gracchus, a Legate, "Sent as head of an embassy...to Pergamum, Cappadocia, Syria, and Rhodes to investigate the attitude of the various kings and states..." 164 C. Sulpicius Galus and M'. Sergius, Legates "sent to observe conditions in Greece, to arbitrate a territorial dispute between Sparta and Magalopolis, and particlarly to investigate the actions of Eumenes of Pergamum and Antiochus of Syria, even hearing accusations against Eumenes publicly at Sardia." 163 (L.) Canuleius (Dives) and Q. (Marcius Philippus ?), Legates "(called Canuleius and Quintus by Polybius) aided in securing the temporary settlement between Ptolemy VI and Ptolemy VII by which the latter received Cyrene..." M. Iunius (Brutus), Legate who was "head of an embassy sent to settle disputes between Ariarathes IV of Cappadocia and the Troemi." Cn. Octavius, Sp. Lucretius, and L. Aurelius (Orestes), Legates who were "sent to the East with instructions to disarm Syria, now ruled by the minor son of Antiochus IV, burn the warships and hamstring the elephants, and to survey the situation in Macedonia, Galatia, and Cappadocia, also to reconcile the two Ptolemies in Alexandria." 162 Ti. Sempronius Gracchus, promagistrate who "returned from Sardinia before the end of the year to become a Legate." Later that year, Gracchus along with L. Cornelius Lentulus Lupus and Servilius Glaucia, was "appointed to examine the condition of Greece; and in Asia, to observe the result of Demetrius' action, the attitude of the other kings, and to settle their disputes with the Galatians." T. Manlius Torquatus and Cn. Cornelius Merula, Legates "sent to Egypt to induce Ptolemy VI to be reconciled again with his brother and cede him Cyprus..." 161 P. Apustius and Cn. Cornelius Lentulus, Legates "sent to Cyrene to inform Ptolemy VII of the end of Rome's alliance with Ptolemy VI." 160-159 None apparently listed serving in any capacity of foreign governorship, overseeing, advisement, etc. 158 C. Fannius Strabo, Legate "head of a commission sent, after the receipt of complaints from Issa and the Daorsi, to observe conditions in Illyria and Dalmatia." 157 C. Fannius Strabo, Legate who, along with his fellow commissioners, "reported the continued offences committed by the Dalmatians and the mistreatment they had themselves received. The Senate resolved upon war." 156 P. Cornelius Lentulus, Legate who "confirmed, upon returning from Asia, reports of attacks by Prusias of Bithynia upon Attalus of Pergamum, which the Senate had at first received with scepticism." L. Appuleius (Saturninus) and C. Petronius, Legates "sent after Lentulus made his report to investigate the difficulties between Prusias and Attalus." -- Nephele

From the article:

Hey, you're in the same level with me, Kosmo! I'm starting to think that maybe where you get sent in Hell is based on your most heinous "sin" -- and it seems to me that atheists get relegated to the Sixth Level. Can you prove/disaprove this theory of mine by saying whether or not you are atheist? -- Nephele

Fondest birthday hails to both of you glorious Romanophiles! -- Nephele

Here's a better, perhaps more plausible Italian name, for your mom: Noemi Jannah Marchello "Noemi" is an Italian form of "Naomi." The surname "Marchello" is pronounced mar-KEL-loh (I figure you already knew that), and is derived from a diminutive of the personal name "Marco." -- Nephele

Your mom should have the same surname as yours: Jhonna Machelle Romani pronounced: ZHAN-nah mah-KEL-leh roh-MAH-nee -- Nephele

Prego! Heh, "Zahrah" is really an Arabic name (meaning "flower in bloom"), but it has enough of an international sound to it to pass for something a native Italian might wear. You can pronounce it with a 'talian 'tude: Zaaaaahrah. "Romani" is a patronymic of the Italian "Romano," meaning "Roman, from Rome" -- which seemed appropriate for you, here at UNRV. Does your mom have a middle name? I'll Italianize her, too, if she likes. -- Nephele

Wow! I kind of remember you mentioning back when we were together in NYC last year, that you might be getting dual citizenship. That's pretty neat-o. In celebration, I have anagrammed for you an Italian alias! Zahrah Elsabeth Romani Salute! -- Nephele

Apparently, the Sixth Level of Hell is warming a seat just for me... The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Sixth Level of Hell - The City of Dis! Sixth Level of Hell - The City of Dis You approach Satan's wretched city where you behold a wide plain surrounded by iron walls. Before you are fields full of distress and torment terrible. Burning tombs are littered about the landscape. Inside these flaming sepulchers suffer the heretics, failing to believe in God and the afterlife, who make themselves audible by doleful sighs. You will join the wicked that lie here, and will be offered no respite. The three infernal Furies stained with blood, with limbs of women and hair of serpents, dwell in this circle of Hell. Here is how you matched up against all the levels: Level | Score Purgatory | Very Low Level 1 - Limbo | Very Low Level 2 | High Level 3 | Very High Level 4 | Moderate Level 5 | Very High Level 6 - The City of Dis | Very High Level 7 | High Level 8- the Malebolge | High Level 9 - Cocytus | Moderate Level descriptions: http://www.4degreez.com/misc/dante-inferno-information.html Take the test: http://www.4degreez.com/misc/dante-inferno-test.mv -- Nephele

This reminds me of the last episode of The Office. (American version. I either watch them on the website, or wait for the DVD.) In the episode, the office workers are giving a birthday party to Kelley. (Make sure you spell her name with an "ey" on that birthday cake!) Everyone in the office gets a special "theme" when his or her birthday celebration rolls around. For Kelley's special, customized birthday "theme," she gets a Chiclet as part of the decoration on her birthday cake. "Why is there a Chiclet on my cake?" she asks suspiciously. Jim explains that the rectangular shape of the Chiclet represents Kelley's two choices for her special birthday dispensation from the office -- a pillow or a television. She can choose either to watch an hour of television, or she can choose to take an hour-long nap. "Pick TV." advises Kevin. "Watching TV at work is really cool." Nope, Kelley explains that she's been watching TV all week. She chooses the nap. A pillow is placed on the floor under the table in the conference room, the conference room lights are switched off, and Kelley happily snuggles down. Kelley's final, blissfully happy words in that scene are: "I'm too excited to sleep!" -- Nephele