Nephele

Hey wait a second here. Just because the wombat was attempting to prevent some horrific inter-species offspring doesn't mean it's not guilty of rape. The consequences of not practicing safe sex with wombats... -- Nephele Please Neph, not in public.... Cute looking creature isn't he? A bit like some of those old guys you see in flat caps and raincoats riding mobility buggies around corners in supermarkets very slowly. Or have I stumbled onto something? You've got some explaining to do Nephele.... Yes, Caldrail, you have discovered my darkest secret -- for that tragic creature is my offspring from having done the humpty dance with a wombat many years ago. Alas, I was young and foolish -- I don't even remember the wombat's name. I met him in a seedy goth bar whilst on holiday in Melbourne. He plied me with drinks (the beast) and then took me to his apartment. The rest is all a blur. *sob* So perhaps you can understand why I'm somewhat bitter about Mr. Cradock's international fame regarding his false story of having been raped by a wombat. Because it really happened to me, and no one gave a fook. Yes, I had a meat-to-meat with a wombat, and all I got out of it was this freak child. -- Nephele

Is this the story? The girl was just 11 years old. Those parents need to be charged with criminal negligence. -- Nephele

The administrator actually had the cheek to hide behind his labourers, who parted like the red sea for me to get at him like the good polynesian brothers that they are. Hahaha! Excellent! You didn't need to hit him -- he was already beaten when he revealed that his stupidity was exceeded only by his cowardice. Huh, messing with you and your Polynesian bros... If ever a guy was a likely recipient for a Darwin Award, sounds like that guy sure was. -- "Sis"

Cool! Do you have Maori names in your family tree that you know of -- and do you also know their meanings? I'd love to add some Maori names to my collection. -- Nephele

Titus Tiberius Crispus, you are a member of the Maria gens, related to "the celebrated C. Marius, the conqueror of the Cimbri and Teutones, who may be regarded as the founder of the gens." Your cognomen of "Cethegolus" is a diminutive of a very old surname ("Cethegus") whose meaning is lost in history, but it was used by a branch of the Cornelii who were distinguished by the fashion of wearing their arms bare. It may be that your own family branch of the Marii adopted this cognomen because they copied the fashion of that branch of the Cornelii. Your praenomen is "Gaius", traditionally abbreviated as "C." Your full Roman name is: C. Marius Cethegolus = Gumsta Rethog Cleck -gtk +ius Welcome to UNRV! -- Nephele

Thanks for that info Nephele. It seems odd that Octavius murdered her son by Caesar and spared her offspring by his arch-rival Mark Antony. Do our sources tell us the reason for this odd anomaly? Names and family lines are my main interest, so perhaps someone else here may care to explain Octavius' reasoning for having Caesar's son killed, but sparing Antony's children? I presume it was because Cleopatra had proclaimed Caesarion an heir to Cleopatra's empire, thus (in addition to being Caesar's heir as well) making Caesarion a political threat to Octavius (who had to uphold his position as Caesar's primary living heir). -- Nephele

Happy Birthday, GPM! I send you The Geminae -- a pair of my best dancing slave girls -- for your birthday amusement. Have a cool day! -- Nephele

It was a strange figure -- like a child...viewed through some supernatural medium, which gave it the appearance of having receded from the view, and being diminished to a child's proportions. Its hair, which hung about its neck and down its back, was white as if with age; and yet the face had not a wrinkle in it, and the tenderest bloom was on the skin...The voice was soft and gentle. Singularly low, as if instead of being so close beside him, it were at a distance..."I am Cloelia, the Ghost of Republic Past." I'll leave you to cast the Ghost of Republic Present. As for the Ghost of Republic Future... The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached. When it came, Caesar bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery. It was shrouded in a deep black toga, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand. But for this it would have been difficult to detach its figure from the night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was surrounded... "I am in the presence of the Ghost of the Republic Yet to Come." said Caesar. The Spirit answered not, but pointed onward with its hand. "You are about to show me shadows of the things that have not happened, but will happen in the time before us," Caesar pursued. "Is that so, Spirit?" The Spirit (a soothsayer, forsooth!) answered: "Beware the Ides of March!" -- Nephele

Cato was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner...Old Cato was as dead as a door-nail...The mention of Cato's funeral brings me back to the point I started from. There is no doubt that Cato was dead. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate... I was just thinking what a great opening that would make for some play titled "Cato's Ghost" -- in which a penitent Julius Caesar learns the true meaning of Republicanism. We can cast our own MPC in the title role. -- Nephele

Yep! Hey, I think I read somewhere in one of your postings that you're part Maori? Did I get that right? I see that you're using the Maori name for New Zealand in your profile -- can you speak some Maori? -- Nephele

I never had a blog before coming to UNRV. It's kind of addictive. Best thing about blogging here at UNRV instead of at those many blog-hosting sites on the 'net, is that you've already got friends here as your audience, whom you can mention in your blog, and others will know who the hell you're talking about. -- Nephele

Hey, hey, the new promotion looks good on you, mate! And cheers on accepting the dare to do the stand-up comedy! What a great blog entry that will make, a month from now! -- Nephele

As promised UNRV member cornelius_sulla, I've finally written my little review of Richard Nelson's play that I went to see. I've already blogged about it, but I thought I'd post it here, as well. On Saturday, March 15th, I had the pleasure of attending the live stage presentation of Richard Nelson's Conversations in Tusculum at the Public Theater in New York City. I got there about an hour before the box office opened and stood on line for the discount rush tickets. To pass the time, I asked my fellow rush ticket buyers whether any of them knew that this day happened to be the Ides of March -- the perfect day for attending this performance. None of them had known. The Public Theater seemed the perfect venue for this play, with its neo-classical architecture. The impressive Corinthian columns which were a part of the theater and which framed the stage nicely complemented the minimalist scenery and costuming of the play, which takes place entirely in the country villas of Brutus, Cassius, and Cicero, and the surrounding hills of Tusculum. Our MPC asked me whether the play was "sufficiently anti-Caesar for a devoted Catonian" like himself. And, I have to say, yes, it was sufficiently anti-Caesar. The character of Caesar doesn't appear in the play, but we do get to hear quite a bit about his manipulation of the characters Cicero, Brutus, Portia, Cassius, Servilia, and Syrus (the somewhat parasitic houseguest), who discuss Caesar and the events of their time. While the parallels between our current U.S. government administration and that of Rome's of this era were not drawn with quite as thick a pencil as I had anticipated, there were nevertheless a few titters from the audience at one point when one of the characters asked whether Caesar had been drinking. The character is told "no," to which he replies: "It was better when he was drinking." Any other recognizable parallels between world leaders had more to do with the general theme of abuse of power. MPC also asked me whether Cato came up in the play. Cato didn't appear in the play, as he was dead by the time of the events in this play. But one could experience Cato through his daughter's words. The character of Cato's noble daughter, Porcia, was presented as a woman of both strength and resolve. In one scene Servilia (who makes it clear that she dislikes Porcia and is displeased that her son Brutus has married her), is soundly criticized by Cicero for having helped to arrange an affair between her daughter (Cassius' wife) and Caesar. Servilia lamely responds by telling Cicero that "you don't understand." Then, later in the scene, Servilia attempts to defend herself by explaining that she didn't have a choice, that none of them have a choice when it comes to what Caesar wants. It is here where Porcia strongly stands up to Servilia and disagrees with her, in the matter of choices. Porcia is clearly her father's daughter. Richard Nelson includes a number of source references at the end of his book to the play, pointing out where he "consciously transgressed" pertaining to historical fact. Regarding the accusation of Servilia having arranged an affair between her daughter and Caesar, Nelson admits that there is no record of Junia Tertia, Cassius' wife, going to Spain to be Caesar's mistress. But Nelson also states that there are "references (including a nasty one by Cicero) that suggest her mother did give her to Caesar at some point, at Caesar's request." All in all, I found the play to be outstanding, and am seriously considering catching it one more time before it closes this Sunday. The actors were convincing, particularly Brian Dennehy in the role of Cicero. After the performance, I managed to meet four of the actors (including Brian Dennehy) and they graciously signed my copy of the book that I had purchased before the play. It was truly a memorable Ides of March. -- Nephele

Cleopatra had three children by Mark Antony: the twins Alexander and Cleopatra (surnamed Helios and Selene respectively -- "Sun" and "Moon"), and a younger son named Ptolemy (surnamed Philadelphus). These children were spared by Octavius, and given to his sister (the wife of Mark Antony) to rear. In later years, Octavius (now Augustus) had Cleopatra Selene married to King Juba of Mauritania (of whom Augustus was quite fond), and they had a son named Ptolemy who was later ordered killed by the emperor Caligula. A daughter of Juba and Cleopatra Selene, named Drusilla, married Marcus Antonius Felix, a freedman of Antonia the Younger (who was the daughter of Mark Antony, niece of Augustus, and the mother of the emperor Claudius). This Felix became procurator of Judaea, and was the judge at the trial of the apostle Paul. By some accounts, this Felix was a freedman of the emperor Claudius instead of Claudius' mother, Antonia the Younger -- or that it was Antonia who manumitted Claudius' slave, whereupon he took the name of Marcus Antonius with his slave name of "Felix" added as a cognomen, as was customary for freedmen. -- Nephele

Just want to let y'all know how much this city kid is enjoying these tales of hunting and camping in the wilds. And... How wistfully envious I am of y'all... -- Nephele

What a cool story! I hope your student stays in touch with you after he transfers. You've given him a good start, DoL. Be proud of yourself! -- Nephele

Petros Aletheias, you are a member of the Maenia gens, a plebeian gens that "produced several distinguished champions of the rights of the plebeian order." Your cognomen is "Nero" which, in the ancient Sabine language, means "strong, valiant." Your praenomen is "Decimus," traditionally abbreviated as "D." Your full Roman name is: D. Maenius Nero = ddbueoanenre -dbe +ism Welcome to UNRV! -- Nephele

Having seen last week the live stage production of Richard Nelson's Conversations in Tusculum (thank you, MPC, for the headsup on that!), I have decided that I would very much like to have a quiet dinner conversation with Cicero. What I would especially like to discuss with Cicero, are the women in his life. Particularly those for whom Cicero appeared (both in the play and in his letters) to have held an abiding respect and love -- Porcia and Tullia. (Porcia appears as a character in the play; Tullia is mentioned as having recently died in childbirth.) Among the questions I would ask: "Did Cato's daughter Porcia actually play a role in helping you to divorce your second wife when you realized the marriage had been a mistake? Please tell me more about Porcia, and how she compared with other women you have known." Also: "You must have been deeply grieved when your daughter Tullia died. Please tell me about her, if it doesn't pain you too much to do so." I think that knowing more about what Cicero personally thought of the women in his life (including those he hated, as well as those he loved), would give me an interesting perspective on the man himself. -- Nephele

And, after further study on my own part I've come to the conclusion that perhaps the term we want to use here in regard to "Cleopatra" (and the example of Cleopatra Berenice that PP gave), rather than "title" or merely "name," is "dynastic name." I believe that a dynastic name such as "Cleopatra" or "Ptolemy" differs from the Roman imperial use of the title "Caesar." For one thing, and despite the fact that "Caesar" started out as a name, the various Caesars (at least, after the Julio-Claudian line) were not always related to each other. Perhaps because of that reason the title of "Caesar" passed easily into other languages (kaiser, tsar) with essentially the same meaning (Docoflove?), whereas names such as "Cleopatra" or "Ptolemy" (or even "Windsor" of England for a modern-day example of a dynastic name) had royal significance only within the ruling families using those names. Another difference in title vs. dynastic name is that a title describes the function of the individual, whereas a name identifies the individual. -- Nephele

Ooo, these are beautiful -- especially that first one! Sort of looks like a web-spinning, red dragon. Very eye-drawing. -- Nephele

Ah, apologies are mine -- I should have realized you were talking strictly about the Ptolemy dynasty. I guess I was so enamoured of Hatshepsut that I had to get in a plug for her. But here's my question: Does history tell us whether the ruling, Ptolemaic Cleopatras were named "Cleopatra" from birth, or did they acquire the name of "Cleopatra" upon succession to the throne? -- Nephele

How about Queen Hatshepsut? While she preceded Cleopatra VII by some 1400 years, she was a woman pharoah of Egypt. About two years ago we had an amazing exhibit at NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art, pertaining to Queen Hatshepsut. They didn't allow photographs, but I sneaked a couple. I'll have to see if I can dig them out. EDIT: Found the picture of Hatshepsut's statue. It's a bit blurry, but then I had to take it on the sly. -- Nephele

"Cleopatra" is a very ancient name that appears several times in Greek myth and legend. Not only is there a Cleopatra, wife of Meleager, mentioned in The Iliad, she is also mentioned by Apollodorus (Pseudo-Apollodorus) and Hyginus. Apollodorus also named a Cleopatra who was the daughter of Tros, a descendant of the god Zeus who gave his name to the city of Troy. There were at least three Cleopatras who were members of the Danaides, the 50 daughters of Danaus and various mothers. One of these Cleopatras was said to have been born of Danaus and a Naiad (a member of a troupe of nymphs). And there was a Cleopatra who was the daughter of Boreas, the North Wind. Her brothers (also sons of the god Boreas) had winged feet, and sailed with Jason and the Argonauts. Of course, mention of various Cleopatras in ancient myth is not proof of the actual existence of such women, but it is proof that the name of "Cleopatra" was known and in use for a very, very long time -- and it was not necessarily exclusive to reigning families. Many names in use by the ancients were derived from myth and legend. We know mostly of the royal Cleopatras from history, because the common Cleopatras were less likely to have been recorded by the historians. -- Nephele

I do believe that "Cleopatra" is a name -- not a title -- meaning "father's glory." And, in fact, I know of at least 15 different Cleopatras. Regarding Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator... the fact that there were several Cleopatras in her Ptolemaic line of descent no more makes "Cleopatra" a title than is "Antigonus" for those dynastic kings of Macedonia who bore that name in succession. There was the 4th century BCE Cleopatra who was the niece of one of Philip II's Macedonian generals (Attalos). There was the 1st century CE Cleopatra who was a friend and client of Poppaea Sabina (the same Poppaea who eventually became the emperor Nero's second wife). There was even a freedwoman named Cleopatra, who was a favorite of the emperor Claudius. But, if you have some source you can cite providing information confirming that "Cleopatra" is a title and not a name, then I would be very interested in reading it. -- Nephele The name means " born of a famous father" came into prominence during the hellenistic period mainly as a result of its close association with the Royal House of Macedon. The first Cleopatra was the wife of Perdiccas II of Macedonand Cleopatra was also the name of the daughter of Phillip II at whose wedding celebrations Phillip was assassinated in 336 BC. You are correct it is a name but a name with a clear meaning of Royalty. Yes, but you said that "Cleopatra" was a title, which is misleading, just as is your statement that "Cleopatra" is "a name with a clear meaning of Royalty." Sorry if I appear to be overparticular here, but such "meaning" is derived through association -- not etymology. The name of "Cleopatra" comes from the Greek words kleos ("glory" or "fame") and patros ("father"), taken together to mean literally: "glory of the father." As for your statement that "the first Cleopatra was the wife of Perdiccas II of Macedonand..." No, actually, that's incorrect. Perhaps the earliest recorded instance of the name can be found in The Iliad, a work of literature which predates the reign of Perdiccas II by about three hundred years. In Book IX of The Iliad we find a woman by the name of Cleopatra, briefly mentioned as the wife of Meleagros (or, Meleager): "So [Meleagros] was angry with his mother Althaia and stayed at home with his wedded wife. She was the beautiful Cleopatra, the daughter of Marpessa Euenin